Andy LyonNov 17, 2022
Robert Reich

As Facebook, Amazon, Twitter, Stripe, Shopify, Lyft, Netflix, and Microsoft lay off workers, let it serve as a reminder that free snacks, beer kegs, and ping pong tables are not real perks.

Do you know what is? Being part of a union that will defend you.

Nov 16, 2022 at 9:24pmWeb
Show threadRuss CopelandNov 16, 2022
@rbreich absolutely correct
Show threadSuJay 🇦🇺🚶Nov 16, 2022
@rbreich Absolutely!
Show threadJoseph IshieNov 16, 2022
@rbreich how does the union help during economic crisis??? It doesn’t help businesses if you ask me…
Show threadAss dragonNov 16, 2022
@jt_ishie @rbreich they can delay the layoff process and with collective bargaining force the company to layoff non union workers first. Granted if they don’t have enough clout it may not work
Show threadJoseph IshieNov 16, 2022

@assdragon @rbreich hmmm. How does this benefit the company esp its resources? If some of their best are not within the union…

Just playing devils advocate here.

Show threadAss dragonNov 16, 2022
@rbreich @jt_ishie it doesn’t help the company it’s about helping the worker and in that situation the union may not be able to help if they can’t back in either quality or numbers. But unions usually bolster their numbers be paying for everyones education in it. But without some kind of edge like quality or numbers a union is meaningless.
Show threadI Linux I Lose 😫Nov 17, 2022

@jt_ishie @assdragon @rbreich There is a fundamental conflict many times between what's best for the company and what's best for the people who work there.

But suppose I decide that the company's immediate interests are more important than the workers' and I use that as a justification for NOT unionizing. Later, when I'm laid off, how do I explain to my family, my kids, that the company is more important than even THEM?

It's not just about the company. Society matters too.

Show threadMorganNov 17, 2022
@jt_ishie @assdragon @rbreich why should something have to benefit a corporation as much as it benefits the actual human beings who work there?
if you want a reason it's good for the company, people work better when they're not constantly stressed out about losing their job or not making enough money etc
but it shouldn't have to be good for the company if it helps the workers, lives are more important than numbers
Show threadAss dragonNov 17, 2022
@jt_ishie @rbreich @raphaelmorgan well it had to benefit the company as far as not damaging profits or efficiency too badly leading to layoffs of union workers. It’s a give and take game with the unions and companies. If you take too much the company will find a way around dealing with them.
Show threadLiberalRocksNov 17, 2022

@jt_ishie @assdragon @rbreich

I'm kind of not worried about corporate interests anymore. They've been protected for decades. A little worker protection to balance things out isn't going to destroy the world.

Show threadcaitNov 21, 2022

@jt_ishie when society only thought about company benefits, we had the #TriangleShirtwaistFactoryFire with workers locked inside the building.

Not everything is about profit.

Show threadBlack FenNov 17, 2022
@jt_ishie @rbreich Most workers don't know much about employment law, but unions know it inside out. Employers are very aware of both these facts.
Show threadBlack FenNov 17, 2022

@jt_ishie @rbreich

If you suffer any kind of long-term illness a union will advise you what your rights are & they'll also help smooth your relationship with your employer.

If a company is determined to no longer employ you there's not much you can do about it, but advice from a union can make a huge difference to how much compensation you get paid for your employment being terminated.

Show threadBlack FenNov 17, 2022

@jt_ishie @rbreich

To answer your question, how unions help businesses, is mainly that they help them retain staff. Some staff are more costly & difficult to replace than others, but there is always a cost associated with replacing staff.

By encouraging companies to follow best practice in terms of how employees are treated, unions also help companies improve their reputation as a good place to work. That makes it easier for those companies to attract good staff.

Show threadBlack FenNov 17, 2022

@jt_ishie @rbreich

A significant part of the advice that unions offer is to explain how the employer will be viewing things. That helps prevent disagreements between workers & employers escalating.

In the event that a company has no choice but to reduce headcount, making sure redundancies are handled correctly & respectfully helps prevent damage to the future reputation of the company, which makes it easier to attract good staff when things improve again.

Show threadtsadilasNov 17, 2022
@jt_ishie @rbreich it helps workers thought defend job positions thought collective bargaining and action. E.g. in Twitter they could say it's all of us or none of us and force Musk to some measures (less layoffs, normal working hours)
Show threadJoseph IshieNov 17, 2022
@tsadilas @rbreich 😅😅😅 based on how elon is he would rather non of them😂. I get you
Show threadtsadilasNov 17, 2022
@jt_ishie @rbreich ok that's also an option. But Twitter would be dead and he would lose 44b!
Show threadJoseph IshieNov 17, 2022
@tsadilas @rbreich ✔️
Show threadSam224466Nov 17, 2022
@jt_ishie @rbreich if the busness is failing thrn that busnes has no rights to operate is just competing and putting at risk those business that pay staff fairly
Show threadHtaggertNov 17, 2022
@jt_ishie @rbreich the Union is for the workers, not “the company” the company may benefit in a long run because the union negotiated things like health benefits etc- creating a healthier work force…
Show threadDemocracy Awareness 🇺🇸♾Nov 23, 2022
@jt_ishie @rbreich Consumers drive the economy, not corporate profits. Workers are consumers, billionaires have to buy toxic social media companies to dispose of their wealth.
Show threadrootlessNov 16, 2022
@rbreich the beer you buy for yourself and friends will taste better and build better friendships
Show threadEmilyNov 16, 2022
@rbreich together ❤️
Show threadNisa (she/her) Nov 16, 2022
@rbreich I remember being jealous of these perks. Then realized it was a company ploy to keep workers at the office and work longer hours. It’s ok you get paid dinner and drinks! I’m grateful for being a public servant that’s part of a union. Didn’t experience the employment anxieties others faced during the layoffs at the peak of the pandemic.
Show threadNot tellingNov 16, 2022
@nisadani 100%
Show threadlegumancer DavyNov 17, 2022
@nisadani @rbreich I've experienced the software industry perks. I'd have taken a remotely healthy company culture and management style instead any day. (As in, not having large firing waves during growth periods to frighten remaining employees, fixing bugs instead of focusing exclusively on new features and kicking the can to support and blaming them when there inevitably comes a point where they can't keep up.)
Show threadonryoNov 16, 2022
@rbreich
I don't know much about unions in the US... but isn't it possible possible for an employer to just fire everyone that joins one?
Show threadAss dragonNov 16, 2022
@onryo @rbreich not if you get enough workers to join. If you can get enough people to join with promises of better wages, benefits and job security (which many provide) then you have the clout to bargain.
Show threadBarbara KrasnoffNov 17, 2022
@onryo @rbreich It's illegal to fire somebody for joining or organizing a union (although of course there are ways around that). https://www.nlrb.gov/about-nlrb/rights-we-protect/the-law/employees/your-rights-during-union-organizing
Your Rights during Union Organizing | National Labor Relations Board

You have the right to form, join or assist a union.

Show threadBen SalinasNov 16, 2022
@rbreich #UnionStrong
Show threadRuthieBNov 16, 2022
@rbreich I saw a company offering 'filtered water' as a benefit in their job ad the other day - I shit you not.
Show threadErwin Rossen 🔸Nov 16, 2022

@RuthieB @rbreich You say you're not kidding, but you're kidding, right? Right?

Although it is actually very useful information. You know instantly you don't want to apply there!

Show threadRickNov 16, 2022
@rbreich I agree. There may be some employers out there who give ‘perks’ that make for a pleasanter working environment. But I belive that becoming a member of a union is something that every worker should do. I’m still a member of my union, even though I’ve retired.
Show threadShadow HeartNov 16, 2022
@rbreich it should serve as a reminder CEOs have entirely too much power over society and should drug from their offices to face consequences.
Show threadDavid CampNov 16, 2022
@rbreich
Show threadPhotoDavid78 📸 🟦 🇮🇱🇺🇸Nov 16, 2022
@rbreich proud IBEW member
Show threadMorganaNov 16, 2022
@rbreich Right On !!!
Show threadlazystreet779Nov 16, 2022

@rbreich

how many of those CEO’s have their fingers in crypto that’s currently spilling across the lands like lava.

Show threadCarlos RodarteNov 16, 2022
@rbreich I found ping pong and other games at startups and tech companies to be quite fun but your broader point is well taken.
Show threadniedzmeskiNov 16, 2022
@rbreich Unionized software development - call me skeptical.
Show threadSteven D RoweNov 16, 2022

@rbreich My expectation re Mr Musk saying "people have got to work longer hours" is that a trade union should review what he is proposing.

A trade union must be part of a workflow every company should include if there is a change in employees' terms and conditions of employment.

Many companies care about money not people anyway. Look after number 1. Always.

Show threadMiquel CamoNov 16, 2022
@rbreich Welcome Professor, so nice to see you here.
Show threadJohn W BabiakNov 16, 2022
@rbreich
Unions may serve a purpose in some organizations but they don’t stop layoffs when economic conditions require job cuts.
Show threadBarbara KrasnoffNov 17, 2022
@Johnbmtl @rbreich No, but they can lay out agreements for appropriate severance payments and extended health benefits.
Show threadSam224466Nov 17, 2022
@Johnbmtl @rbreich they give you better wage increases better redundancy money and more support
Show threadKeith Wilson Nov 16, 2022
@rbreich Being in a union isn’t a perk. It is, or rather should be, a fundamental right.
Show threaddubiago Nov 16, 2022

@rbreich Perhaps, in the middle of the 20th century. Now they're far too political. Also, at least the company won't generally slash my tires if I don't tow the line...

https://dwarf.ly/EIba22xpllh

IN BRIEF: Worker's tire-slash threat didn't void union election- 8th Circuit

The 8th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals on Thursday said a Missouri Dollar General employee's alleged threat to slash a coworker's tires if she voted against union representation was not enough to void the results of an election.

Reuters
Show threadGil Friend, sustainability OGNov 16, 2022
@rbreich Or becoming an employee/owner
Show threadIsabelNov 16, 2022

@rbreich Legitimately most folks haven't SEEN a ping pong table or free snacks for 3 years.

And alas there is only so much a union can do to push back on companies who are shedding workers because they're shedding profit.

What would be nice is some societal, governmental, & organisational perspective on the meaning of success. A stock price going up or down should not be the unit of measure for success. The stock market is just a legitimised casino, playing games with companies.

Our measures of organisational success should come from each organisation's employees & customers. THEIR happiness & fulfilment as human beings should be the yardstick, not how many billionaires think this or that concept is the next big thing.

#Humanism #DitchEconomics

Show threadJimalNov 16, 2022
@rbreich having voted to strike I hope you are right ... Didn't work last time I striked, but that was as a graduate student, a massive industrial powerhouse, obviously. Now, better place, organisation etc
Show threadTopKnotNov 16, 2022
@rbreich Welcome, Newbie.
Show threadShani KomulainenNov 16, 2022
@rbreich
Show threadPaul EvansNov 16, 2022
@rbreich as a union official who has spend seven years organising in Animation and VFX ... THIS!
Show threadBuddha314Nov 16, 2022
@rbreich Those things are there to make you stay through lunch and dinner. I know, i was part of that kinda management machine. The free good + games pay for themselves pretty quickly.
Show threadBrent 🇺🇸❤️🇺🇦Nov 16, 2022
@rbreich - IT workers need a #union badly! Same for #retail like we’ve seen with Apple retail employees lately. 💪🏻 #UnionStrong
Show threadGracie GatoNov 17, 2022
@rbreich yes
Show threadDavid Palk#RejoinEU 💖🇪🇺🕊🌈Nov 17, 2022
@rbreich Same same in the UK. Slowly but surely as they weaken our unions so jobs are lost.
Show threadInsurance Industry AuthorNov 17, 2022
@[email protected] No company should provide lifetime employment
Show threadTitterNov 17, 2022
@rbreich Let's not talk about that Bob.