my employer tried to screw me out of a few hours pay, not enough for most people to chase down, the union chased them until they fucking paid me. it more than paid my Union dues for the year.

[–] [email protected] 12 points 1 year ago (2 children)

Now imagine an employee trying to skip a few hours of work while still getting paid. It's the reverse scenario but suddenly it's so much worse?

[–] Fibby 15 points 1 year ago

If an employee is trying to skip hours, their manager has power over them. The manager can fire them, cut hours, or dock pay.

If a manager is trying to skimp pay, they still have power over the employee. The employee cannot make demands to the manager because they have no leverage.

But if all the employees join together? Now they have collective bargaining. This is what unions are for. Its to try and balance the inherent power imbalance.

[–] [email protected] 3 points 1 year ago (1 children)

The difference is livelihood versus profits. One of the sums of money pays rent, utilities, food, while the other sum of money pays stockholders dividends.

[–] Fibby 8 points 1 year ago

I understand the sentiment, but this isn't always true. Some workers need unions while working for non-profit companies.

The difference is more to do with the power imbalance between workers and managers.