Somewhat-Reticent Foolish unions cultivate a “them vs. us” attitude destructive to both.
Why, is company behaviour better? Is it not truly “us versus them” in some cases? Just a few examples: look at Amazon; look at Apple retail; look at Loblaws and related companies (in Canada). Are those really appropriate ways to run a business and treat the people getting your work done?
At Apple’s stores, for instance, the policy is that employees are required to wait, sometimes quite a long time, to have security inspect their bags, etc., to “prevent theft by employees”. Not only does that betray the fact that they don’t trust the people responsible for their sales and service, but that happens after they are off the clock (meaning Apple wants it to be unpaid time). At least in France, the courts told Apple to stuff it. If you’re requiring employees to remain at your place of business, then it is paid time, they ruled; if it is not paid time, they are free to leave — with no inspection — as of the time they are off the clock. It’s your choice.
We need more of that sort of sanity, and the Air Canada flight attendants represent another example; all of the pre-flight preparatory work should not be free to the airline. If it is work done by employees for the benefit of the airline, then it should be paid. Is it any surprise they voted to strike?
Upper management seems to take the same attitude, especially lately: raises, sizeable bonuses and perks for me; a pile of dung and even more responsibilities, for the same salary, for you.