The 5 Biggest Corporate Lies About Unions | Robert Reich

[@RandolfLycan]

Narrowing it down to just 5? I salute you Mr. Reich. I know that couldn't have been easy.

[@ongoinglife]

One of the dirtiest tricks that the Neoliberals and Republicans ever successfully pulled in this country was to convince working people that OTHER working people were their enemies. Blaming Teachers Unions for busted state budgets, Demonizing all Labor Unions for the corrupt practices of a few bad players, Walking back Union Organizing Protections, Convincing Consumers that High Prices are the fault of Unions, and many more , but the final insult to labor is actually Demonizing Immigrant Workers as the architects of all that is wrong in America.

[@howardkerr8174]

@Frederic Bastiat Interesting idea, but not 100% sound. Ford builds Fusions in Mexico and in Europe, they build Focuses in the U,S. and Europe. Car companies will either de-content a car or just not produce a product if the vehicle cannot be priced competitively. Under your idea, a U.S. Focus would cost as much as that Mexican-made Fusion. Labor is a cost, but in many cases it is NOT the largest cost in producing a product. In Europe the Focus and Fusion (Mondeo) are more expensive than their U.S. counterparts but some of that is due to V.A.T. but workers are paid better, so it isn't THE deterrence to purchase. If you are attempting to debunk Mr Reich's arguments, you have a long way to go to get there.

[@RandolfLycan]

@Frederic Bastiat This guy again 🙄 "The higher the wage, the lower the demand". Yeah except in this thing called reality, the opposite has been happening. The demand was massive in the 50's and 60's when the middle class was at it's strongest. Demand did not decrease. Some more of your right wing garbage debunked.

[@hyacinthdathenes9405]

@Frederic Bastiat ok apparently someone has to explain this to you. Unions do not keep the number of jobs low, companies do. They try to keep their costs as low as possible and only hire more workers if they absolutely have to no matter how little they pay them. Further, supply and demand with labor is a little more complex than you suggest since as more people have money they will spend it, driving more demand for goods and services that must be met with additional labor. This will eventually lead to an increased need for laborers despite the higher price for labor.

[@DavidAdkins78]

The left is nuts! We have the richest middle class in history, and the best JOBS economy in 50 years, all while unions have almost disappeared. In a free market employers compete for labor, workers compete for jobs, and nothing could be more productive, more fair, or create more widespread prosperity.

[@jeeveekaa5880]

For a Dutchman, who has a great interest in American politics and history, your videos are really helpful. Thank you Robert!

[@andrewb2004]

I'm a union railroad employee. Non-union workers in my field make almost half what I do and not nearly as good of benefits.

[@vjjusn6486]

I’m in the HVAC industry. I opted out of the union and best decision i ever made. I make more money then the union workers, pay less into my benefits, I don’t have to go through the union for bids or time off and I can control where my retirement money goes.

[@Tictokshorts]

I prefer union.

[@dageo4766]

To change the narrative about labor unions, we the people need to spread the word about it

[@wendyscott8425]

We're trying, but it's quite difficult when the radical right has spent so much on propaganda to convince people that unions are bad. Propaganda works.That's why they use it.

[@janwag6856]

Wendy Scott So true!

[@chaoticlife311]

@@wendyscott8425 hmmmm...

[@Drunkenwoecat]

Frederic Bastiat the other part is...no journalist ever talks about the cost of union dues compared to their wage.

[@Drunkenwoecat]

Frederic Bastiat Colorado has right to work, and it doesn’t stop unions. There are unions such as Safeway, teachers, etc. companies will always try and increase profit while maintaining or improving quality. Be it robots, software automation, or outsourcing.

[@kristenrdesinski2937]

One of the largest and most effective opponents of retail unions? Wal*Mart. They used to (not sure about current training modules) require employees to watch a video module on unions and why they are harmful to the company and it's workers. It was pretty logical to the uneducated or inexperienced employees who had not encountered unions or knew nothing of the benefits that unions provided as part of worker contracts. Are there unions that are poorly managed? Yes. Do some local union chapters need better oversight? Probably. Accountability and transparency is good for any entity that is responsible for the conditions of members/employees.

[@Rasgonras]

What I love about people complaining about bad management is their total blindness and acceptance for corporate bad management. "Oh that union is corrupt, now excuse me while my CEO just bribed officials in Australia and pocketed the money that was supposed to go to our retirement fund." It's so dumb it's almost endearing.

[@calichef1962]

@@Rasgonras To me, that kind of ignorance isn't "endearing," it's nauseating!

[@mariondean6729]

Macy’s shows the same anti-union video. It basically says if you see a union member approaching you run the other way.

[@arealhuman826]

I walked out and quit the job during that training (they still show those videos, this was only a year ago) .. they said that if you hear people talking about 'living wages' or 'organizing' to report them to management immediately...

[@MrGarrettPearsonPhD]

The same rhetoric is in the Target training videos. "If you see a union representative, remember that they don't have your best interests in mind and report them to an executive team leader."

[@ThomStanton]

Nice video, Robert. Thanks for sharing your thoughts so well and freely for the greater good. 😊

[@StephenGA1982]

That's why Wal-Mart will fire anyone who talks about a Union that's employed by them. Then Wal-Mart would have to pay a living wage and stop it's disgusting practice of using government programs to feed and insure their employees. Wal-Mart is the prime example of why workers need unions!!

[@matthewbowen8065]

And we must point out that while their employees depend on government assistance to live Wal-Mart lobbies to kill those program so they can have bigger debt driver handouts for all the lazy billionaire takers

[@ColinBunston]

Capitalist socialism at its finest

[@joerambo4977]

If Walmart unionized they would go out of business because you couldn't afford to shop there and if you could you would use your head and shop elsewhere it's not good for every industry

[@Austin-rm9ip]

Have you worked at Walmart? They pay livable wages. Unions suck because they hold back employees. And employee would do much better on their own, outside a union. A group of employees on the other hand need a union to not fall under. Unions should be optional. Not something you have to join if you want a specific job. Besides, they don’t help. Since when did we have to pay people to voice our concerns? We are capable of demanding better, but for some reason the American people let themselves get taken advantage of again, by paying into unions. It’s literally a scam

[@kierankennedy6971]

@@Austin-rm9ipit’s not, but congrats on being a talking head for greedy corporations you fucking tool

[@glenboniface6935]

No billionaire should ever be president.

[@paulafigueroa1573]

Remember the Simpsons episode where Trump became President? It really was a stupid joke, so... why didn’t anybody understand that!

[@1p6t1gms]

@Dominique Roydor Exactly, we need to unionize ourselves and get rid of that lying Trump.

[@darkdan3379]

Agreed!

[@ScytheNoire]

I agree, but Trump is not a billionaire. The majority of his wealth is borrowed, and the biggest holders he owes happen to be Russian oligarchs who laundered money through Deutsche Bank. Perhaps we should make sure presidents are not owned by others countries or corporations either.

[@ahmadsuleman4813]

None of you should be president

[@unmog4223]

Basically anything the rich tells you, just believe the opposite. They're incentivized to lie to you

[@grahamsmith2022]

An unfortunate fact is that there are very few decent,honest and trustworthy rich people,by their very nature,the majority of them have got where they are by lying,stealing,cheating,swindling and trampling on people,nice rich people are a very rare breed indeed.

[@aaronr9023]

This is one of the top minds in America. "They" don't tell him anything. He is the "they," if you will. He should be listened to, because if more people did listen to him, Republicans would crash the economy less often.

[@mediamattersismycockholste562]

vs communists, who are, like, totally known for truthfulness. /sarc

[@TSBrax]

I agree with what your saying but be careful with that. When they were leading up to a centralized bank(the Fed) all of the smaller banks said it was crazy. So the big wigs played that card. Everybody assumed The Fed would be great if bankers didn't like it. Well . . . they find a way to twist it anyway to fool the public.

[@Soleilune1995]

That's the easy way to reach the same conclusions as actually doing the intellectual work in unraveling their lies. I prefer in depth understandings, but this works well enough for most things. There are always exceptions to the rules though.

[@paxundpeace9970]

I agree send support from Germany.

[@randominternetguy1499]

Germany has one of the best union systems

[@paxundpeace9970]

@@randominternetguy1499 I agree

[@SilverGuard]

The way I see it. there are 3 pillars of a healthy, functioning, Capitalist system. 1: Strong Unions 2: Regulations with real teeth 3: The pressure of competition

[@terry2346]

@IGB PROductionz I disagree! And it would seem so does Mr Reich!

[@SilverGuard]

@IGB PROductionz I have a few problems with this. 1: the main goal and the main measurement of success for businesses is based on appealing to shareholders, creating a system that demands infinite growth, which requires infinite money. with no regulations or oversight, this blind drive to make more money this quarter than the last one becomes self destructive, encourages unethical behavior, and consolidates power to fewer and fewer huge businesses. what you are talking about is an idealized vision of small businesses, not the reality of big companies. 2: big companies pay 0$ in federal income taxes, not billions. in fact, many big companies get millions in tax rebates. and said companies use infused capital and the tax cuts to buy their own companies stock, not make more jobs 3: Workers are seen and treated as a resource to be used, abused, and replaced once they burn out and stop performing. Unions are not something that will mess up a good thing, it's required to give employees a seat at the table and a voice to be heard

[@thomascleveland8121]

Yes, Yes, and, Yes.

[@FletchforFreedom]

The third has objectively made neither of the other two even remotely necessary (it's economically impossible to underpay workers as has been demonstrated empirically).

[@SilverGuard]

@@FletchforFreedom I have read you comment a few times and I am having trouble understanding what you mean. are you arguing that, because you have seen and experienced workers financially desperate enough to take slave wages, it is therefore ok to offer slave wages?

[@knavishknight]

🎵Solidarity Forever! For the Union makes us strong!🎵 RIP, Pete Seeger (May 3, 1919 - January 27, 2014)!

[@thomascleveland8121]

One of the bravest Americans of this and the last century. Stood up to authority and power on behalf of those on the outside looking in. Stood up to one of the biggest bullies of the last century ( Sen. McCarthy), filmed for the entire country to see. Unafraid in the certainty of his rights as a citizen.

[@tonerduckpin]

Thank You, Thank You, Thank You, Robert Reich for posting this video on Labor Day. Your next video should be about the process of getting you workplace Unionized.

[@wendyscott8425]

Totally correct. The best jobs I had in my working life were union jobs. Back in the late 60s, I got an office job at a trucking company. My first husband was working for IBM and made very good wages. Between his income and mine, we didn't know what to spend it all on. I was what they called an extra clerk, which meant I worked various positions when those holding them were out sick or on vacation. I had such good wages, I could pick and choose when I worked. The last job I had before I retired was as a medical transcriptionist for a huge medical center, and it was also unionized. I made $30 an hour. My second husband was a teacher, also a unionized job. We're now living rather comfortably on his retirement income. You can't tell me that unions aren't great for workers and great for the economy.

[@ongoinglife]

One of the dirtiest tricks that the Neoliberals and Republicans ever successfully pulled in this country was to convince working people that OTHER working people were their enemies. Blaming Teachers Unions for busted state budgets, Demonizing all Labor Unions for the corrupt practices of a few bad players, Walking back Union Organizing Protections, Convincing Consumers that High Prices are the fault of Unions, and many more , but the final insult to labor is actually Demonizing Immigrant Workers as the architects of all that is wrong in America.

[@woodchuck003]

@Snaggle Toothed Seeing how the UK had a recession from 1971-1975 and the term, 'sick man of Europe' was used extensively when describing the UK in the '60s and '70s. It would make more sense to say that poor economic conditions lead to the election of Thatcher. The UK's economic problems started way before the Iron Lady but the positive GDP growth after Thacher compared to before seems to tell a different story. However, as you stated your families were coal miners and the British economy was going through a transformation at the time, becoming more service-oriented. If you didn't have the skills to adapt you could be on the wrong side of economic improvement. The horribly manages state-owned coal mines you mentioned, was actually the reason my family left the UK in the 60s. Your claim of Keynesian economics not being neoliberal and the mention of the trickle-down strawman also suggests you don't have the greatest understanding of economic theory.

[@woodchuck003]

Wendy you actually made no case for the usefulness of unions, your story is anecdotal. And seeing how total compensation from the 1960s to today is up by about 60% it is also not dependent on the existence of unions. fred.stlouisfed.org/series/COMPRNFB

[@northerniltree]

@@woodchuck003 Anecdotal is the correct word to use. An antidote is a medication given to counter or neutralize a toxin.

[@woodchuck003]

@@northerniltree Thank you for the grammar correction. I relly on spellcheck to correct my words and sometimes it grabs the wrong word.

[@fob1xxl]

I retired in 2002 from AT&T. If it weren't for the UNION we would have been screwed MANY TIMES !

[@vincentfalsitta5332]

I'm a retired teamster and I back all unions for all working FAMILY'S. build our economy from the bottom up .it has worked for over 60 years.

[@Native722]

Love unions

[@squanchwater4715]

Do you have any stories

[@beataannanowak659]

awesome thanks for the truth people are so brainwashed that they are afraid of unions

[@MsMissX]

Good to hear the truth. Greetings from Denmark

[@kevchard5214]

Now if only the American people could accept the progress your country has made and try and mimic it.

[@MsMissX]

@@kevchard5214 Well if you want to do that then you have to organize and be ready to fight toth and nail for it. My grandparents did so. They went stricking. To the point where starvation was a real threat. The only reason they could keep it up for so long was because they had paid into a union who then used those money to support its members while stricking. There demand was an 8-8-8 day. 8 hours of work 8 hours of rest 8 hours of spare time That along with a decent pay. The only reason it worked was because so many was in. The strike hit extreamly hard on the employers along with the clear determination of being willing to uphold the strike as long as needed.

[@MsMissX]

@Snaggle Toothed If that is a joke good one all though a strange place to put it.

[@kevchard5214]

@@MsMissX The US is in that situation now. The problem is unions are few and far between here and many of the ones that remain are corrupt. Slavery is the goal of the American rich and corporations.

[@KaiHenningsen]

@Snaggle Toothed It never was.

[@Actanonverba01]

As a biotechnology worker I have wanted to join a union. I saw Execs get tremendous incentives for just joining companies and start-ups. Compared to newly minted MS and PhD workers with no experience get raked over the coals, taken advantage of...

[@johngermain5146]

Yes, a Rising Tide lifts ALL boats. Politicians should also realize that as our wages increase, so do tax revenues.

[@ongoinglife]

One of the dirtiest tricks that the Neoliberals and Republicans ever successfully pulled in this country was to convince working people that OTHER working people were their enemies. Blaming Teachers Unions for busted state budgets, Demonizing all Labor Unions for the corrupt practices of a few bad players, Walking back Union Organizing Protections, Convincing Consumers that High Prices are the fault of Unions, and many more , but the final insult to labor is actually Demonizing Immigrant Workers as the architects of all that is wrong in America.

[@milfordcivic6755]

A rising tide drowns those who cannot afford a boat.

[@brookebradford2111]

True, but politicians aren't paid relative to tax revenues from their constituents. The bulk of their income comes in exchange for limiting fiscal liabilities (including taxes) for their corporate donors.

[@johngermain5146]

@@ongoinglife : Very accurate, I remember the North Sea oil workers wages were compared to that of the commoners when they tried to ratify a new contract. Billionaires pitting workers against each other over a few dollars.

[@woodchuck003]

After the 2017 tax cut 2018 federal revenue raised by .5%. Fewer taxes can also lead to more tax revenue.

[@progressiveminded5858]

Five thumbs down . They must enjoy being trickled down on from the rich.

[@bobtaylor170]

Progressive Blue State, those thumbs probably are rich.

[@1aikane]

Thank you for having this channel. I hope you have an ever increasing viewership. We need these messages to reach our citizens.

[@ITSJFE]

Makes sense now. When I used to work at Frito-Lay, anytime they were about to change our pay( or lower it)... they will make us watch a video on why we shouldn't unionize

[@christophergustafson3942]

Thank you for your pro-labor content on Labor Day!

[@brookebradford2111]

AI & robotics can't unionize, yet their involvement in the labor & service industries are growing exponentially & internationally. If capitalism is going to remain, unionization AND real human involvement need to be reinstated as dominant.

[@milfordcivic6755]

You won't stop tech. You have to have transferable skills to survive these days in manufacturing and service industries.

[@kenim]

In a tech heavy and globalized world like today, Unionization wont save anyone. We need a radical new solution and UBI is probably in the right direction.

[@DiThi]

@@milfordcivic6755 We can't stop tech but we can stop the 0.1% from owning it. And we should.

[@scottplumer3668]

But the people who design, build, install and maintain robots and AI can unionize.

[@SlowhandGreg]

The industrial revolution replaced jobs with different jobs the AI revolution will do the same as long as you can control the super corporations and stop them killing innovation at the bottom and make sure employees get thier due rewards. There should be more prosperity all round hence more money for healthcare leisure and a whole host of needful things

[@MsSherrydarling]

Maybe letting people know what unions have done for all workers might help people understand how much better their lives are overall. Things like regular work week, better wages, stat holidays, benefits, working conditions, etc. A before and after might open a few eyes! Keep up the great work Mr. Reich!

[@zulmavillalba6137]

When Bernie becomes POTUS #46, it would be great if you work with Bernie and his cabinet regarding the labor and union relationship. You're wealth of knowledge would be an extremely great asset to a Bernie administration.

[@mediamattersismycockholste562]

Bernie couldn't run anything more than a hotdog stand, and only that where he gave them away for free... until he ran out of hotdogs. Keep dreaming.

[@bryanhendrix1113]

@@mediamattersismycockholste562 Have another sip of the Kool-aid.... please.

[@FletchforFreedom]

Don't insult hot dog vendors.

[@spiritsbeyondthestars3493]

That's why they made the law right to work to get rid of Union. That was the worst idea that they ever came up with. Thank God I'm still in the Union.

[@bl49120]

Unions are vital to the workers and the economy. When people do well, so does the economy.

[@ellengran6814]

US is on path to become what France was before the revolution. A few extremely rich families, the rest poor.

[@Larrymh07]

Another management lie: "My door is always open."

[@vincentfalsitta5332]

thay all lye in the same bed . current and present.

[@CG_Hali]

Thanks, Happy Labor Day ;)

[@ThePapaja1996]

Happy may the first.

[@TheStevehuff]

If labor unions are so bad then why do corporations do everything they can to discredit them?

[@davids.3534]

If Bernie wins I hope he hires this guy as an Advisor.

[@davids.3534]

@John Dwyer Absolutely.

[@krokodyl1927]

David S. Yes indeed! 👍

[@bobtaylor170]

@John Dwyer, several times I've used this comments section to implore him to run. A damned shame my heartfelt plyings didn't convince him.

[@fordfan1996]

It doesn't matter who wins, Robert should play a major role in any administration!!!

[@fordfan1996]

I assumed you knew I meant Democratic administration.

[@LadyDoomsinger]

Living in Denmark, it is utterly bizarre to me, how Americans don't understand the benefits of unions. You'd think it common sense; when people stand united, they possess more leverage than when its every man for himself.

[@patrickmcshane7658]

That's an American peculiarity.

[@neilr11]

Best channel on youtube. Thank you Mr. Reich for what you do.

[@stringguru516]

Thank you for being a clear voice that supports justice.

[@dominics.8796]

Brace yourself for all the AnCaps that are bound to appear in the comments section...

[@ilikeme1234]

Right. They’re all about freedom but not the freedom to organize labor. A bunch of hypocrites that are full of shit.

[@52flyingbicycles]

Anarchocapitalist is an oxymoron. Even the OG ego-anarchist Max Stirner was a socialist

[@dominics.8796]

ILikeMe 123 Yeah. Listing all of their hypocrisies would take hours.

[@dominics.8796]

Thomas Urech Yet some people accept this “philosophy”.

[@ilikeme1234]

Thomas Urech anarcho capitalists are people who don’t understand what anarchism is.. or capitalism.

[@ongoinglife]

American Labor Unions have constantly been shrunk since Neoliberal Reagan Union-Busting Era. Strong Unions are mandatory for the Working People, and Progressive Politics. Germany is Europe's Economic Engine because of their Strong Union Culture !

[@theresacarmen6220]

I've always believed that workers have little power when alone but as a group of like minded members had power and influence. Thanks Richard!

[@erickramer3050]

Thank you for putting this out. Unions came into existence and still exist, because they had to/ have to. The things we all consider normal today: the 40hr. work week( no it wasn't Ford), the 8hr work day, worker's comp. as we now know it, the very concept of overtime pay, child labor laws, and job safety. All were fought for by UNIONS. Check the history and you will find people bled and even died for these normalities. Much love to all brothers and sisters out there who continue the fight of the labor movement. THE FIGHT STILL EXISTS!!! Hope all had a great Labor Day weekend.....

[@mladyriad]

What we need is you in office professor and keep these vidZ coming out so we can share and educate as we go through these dark day~ty 💙

[@tracylemme1375]

When everyone does good everyone does good.

[@OnyxLee]

THE most powerful union that benefits its members the most, that enabled them to actually become the rulers of the country, is the American Bar Association (ABA).

[@cliffh8486]

Please do a video explaining what a union is. I believe the basics of collective bargaining are not understood by rank and file employees.

[@danstark3341]

Ok, I used to work in a salon. I am from the Detroit area. My friend was in management for the museum part of the auto plant. She tightened her office doorknob. Later, she had the union rep and the person who "should" have tightened her doorknob. She had to pay them extra for missing the opportunity to do the work. I understand their need, but some of it goes beyond reason.

[@markg7030]

Your friend is lucky it was not worse. Don't try, don't even think of doing my job. You may think I'm joking but these companies will make a bathroom cleaner work on a jet engine if you let them.

[@CarolYost]

This is an excellent video! I’ve shared it on Facebook and sent it to an email list I use. My suggestion? Just get the truth out there more and more!

[@RiggsBF]

I live in Texas and I wish we had labor unions.

[@bl49120]

Don't fall for the "Right to work" diatribe. It means the right to work for less and no benefits. You should have a union for those.

[@ronjoberts79]

Union strong. ✊ pay your dues. I would pay more in dues, for all we get, and for less fortunate brothers and sisters. We have more power than we know.

[@RainingMetal]

There also needs to be video game industry unions. If you've ever seen a video from Jim Sterling, you'll see why.

[@johnhanes5021]

Unions are a group of workers that join together to protect themselves. The people they need to protect themselves from are the ones that are trying to get rid of those protections. Everybody should be in a union, there are no downsides to membership.

[@darkdan3379]

Unions are the right wings biggest fear...

[@unionjoe8245]

Great job robert! Tell it like is! Solidarity!

[@toadjiang7626]

This reminds me of a recent documentary "American Factory", it's about a Chinese glass manufacturing company Fuyao opening a plant in Ohio, and with it, it brings the classic Chinese low wage, long working hours, the utterly lack of working safety and environmental protection. When American workers couldn't take it any more and decided to be unionized to fight back, the CEO of Fuyao vowed that he'd rather not opening this plant at all than letting it be unionized. After having spent $millions on a fierce anti-union misinformation campaign, he had finally crushed this little unionization movement. This documentary film now is quite popular in China, many of us find it's rather sad and ironic that a billionaire from a so called communist country is teaching American workers a lesson about what true capitalism and exploitation look like.

[@roystonmason9125]

damn , well there it is ,,,,, BERNIE 2.0

[@Embargoman]

And automation happens.

[@razormc954]

@@Embargoman It happens anyway

[@baophan3515]

I’m a software engineer and I wish I was represented by a union so that I can just concentrate on work rather than hustle with HR.

[@crazydinosaur8945]

a mcdonald's employee in denmark make over 22 USD pr hour and gets 5 weeks paid holiday by law + 1 extra week do to trade union negotiations (6 weeks total). There is extra charge for evening and night work. Payment for seniority, holiday payment (Easter and Christmas for example, (100%), on top of all payment there is an extra 6.85%, Pension plan for employees from the age of 20 (12%). the minimum wage in Denmark is non-existent. the high wages are obtained through agreements and negotiations between the unions and the various industries. the agreements are renewed every few years. the biggest lies the american people are being feed is that unions are the enemy. if the unions did not make it harder for employers to exploit their workers they wouldn't push so hard against unions

[@maryargenziano5379]

It blows my mind how more businesses aren't unionized. When I was a cashier at Foodtown (unionized), I was making $24.75 per hour. I got a raise every 3 months. Why would anyone want to work at Walmart or Amazon when they can make more money at a grocery store?!

[@stevengriffith436]

as a truck driver for over 20 years. Being all over the country i can honestly say that going to union places is the most miserable experience they are the slowest and most miserable people. I also went to truck driving school that was union. After I got my cdl I was on the property and some new students were talking to me and I was banned off of the property because an instructor thought I was giving them advice. Side note the school is no longer union.js

[@ColinBunston]

All these policies need to be compared to other countries like Finland that is extraordinarily friendly to unions and has a strong middle class as well as rated the happiest country. Too often policies are only compared inwards like other ideas outside your own country don't exist and not worth comparing. If more people knew how other countries operated they may be surprised by the possibilities. One example is vehicle efficiency. America has not needed it like Europe demands it yet the auto companies claim to North Americans that certain efficiencies are not possible while those same brands sell highly efficient vehicles in other countries. With the internet there is no excuse to not know about other ideas and possibilities outside our own borders. I see the difference in other countries as the people fighting more aggressively for rights and standards. I appreciate your videos and perspective.

[@leighfoulkes7297]

If the majority of workers would follow the libertarian (rich folks Anarchy) slogan of "greed is good", then workers should join the Union. Oh, my mistake, they only meant that "greed is good" for the wealthy and not the workers.

[@MrGarlandSnow]

Thank you for your good work!! Bernie 2020

[@marydahm6851]

Proud member of American Federation of Government Employees (AFGE) District 5!

[@pattirockgarden4423]

Thank you, Robert!!

[@onestevewilson]

The IWW has been union organizing in Portland, OR through a fast food chain called Burgerville and it has been pretty inspiring.

[@JorgeRodriguez-iq7vb]

You forgot a couple of things: Unions have been fading out because instead of having the best interest of their employees at heart, is your pocket that comes first. Also forcing every single employee to be a member and deduct your fees automatically when they don't want to participate makes you worse than the company you claim is out to rip us off.

[@silverwing5254]

Exactly the problem I've experience as well. Some unions do still fight for the employees, but a growing number have become their own cooperate entities that are focused only on lining their own pockets. Standards for unions need to be established, lest they become the exact same thing they were supposed to fight against.

[@TagGeorge]

If you don't want to pay dues go to a non union facility. Only 10% of the jobs or less are union should not be hard to find. I have never been union. Come be poor with with us folks in much of the mid west that don't even have opportunity to be union workers. While at the same time paying to much for piss poor benefits and no retirement other than the joke they cal 401k.

[@markocrear8013]

Great video. I am a union member in Texas. I am also a researcher. My study agrees with your conclusions. But i also believe we as union members have to do a better job of policing ourselves on every level so that we can grow, thrive and regain public confidence and trust.

[@stevengriffith436]

as a truck driver for over 20 years. Being all over the country i can honestly say that going to union places is the most miserable experience they are the slowest and most miserable people. I also went to truck driving school that was union. After I got my cdl I was on the property and some new students were talking to me and I was banned off of the property because an instructor thought I was giving them advice. Side note the school is no longer union.js

[@theresacarmen9847]

I've tried to explain to friends that unions are the only real power workers have but they have drunk the kool aid. What we need is more education on what unions can do for us. Since most folks get their news from the tv, maybe ads focused on middle class young people would help.

[@geraldmahoney4856]

When I worked for a cable company, management gave us a “why unions weren’t necessary” lecture. We never unionized, but the company did give us real good benefits.

[@JorgeHernandez-oh7xv]

Watching saving capitalism help to understand how the economy it actually works.

[@thomashunt413]

The National Association of Letter Carriers was founded in 1889. The 1880s were a very progressive time. Labor was United then. It's pretty much every worker for themselves. Easy for management to divide and conquer. I've been in the mailman's union for 36 years and it has been outstanding!

[@ecash00]

Iv told the younger folk...READ THE STATE LABOR LAWS....INCLUDING OSHA..

[@ecash00]

@martin man go read them...and when you see things happening or NOT...record them...TAKe pictures, make movies... AND THATS STATE...I didnt say Fed..which are pretty basic, and not all POSTED on walls.

[@fergie2200]

This was excellent. Unions used to be the mainstay for the middle class, now there are far too few of them.

[@elijahfordsidioticvarietys8770]

What about the “controlled by the mob” myth?

[@Adamantium9001]

How could unions be bad for workers? Being good for workers is their entire purpose!

[@Ultimime]

I'll say this again if Bernie manages to get elected one of his initial phone calls needs to be Reich.

[@FletchforFreedom]

The blind leading the blind.

[@FakingANerve]

Great video, as always! The summaries of stats in your videos are poignant, well described, and downright necessary in the current paradigm!

[@gracieallen8285]

My husband, who is anti union, sites the US steel industry as union workers demand so much they bankrupted it. Is that true?

[@wendyscott8425]

It's much more likely automation and competing steel from China was its downfall. Your husband might like to know this: In his first annual message to Congress 1861, President Lincoln declared, _“labor is prior to, and independent of, capital. Capital is only the fruit of labor, and could never have existed if labor had not first existed. Labor is the superior of capital, and deserves much the higher consideration.”_ Seems to me "the higher consideration" should consist of wages working people can live on comfortably without constantly having to struggle to make ends meet.

[@kevchard5214]

That is false. The fall of the steel industry in the US is due to corporate greed. All the steel companies that were in the US have moved to other countries because they can make higher profits there. Another factor is the trade agreements with countries like china which is where most of our steel is made today. The corporations can not make the extreme profits with American workers as they can with slave labor in other countries.This pertains to all corporations.

[@845835]

That's right up there with the lie that unions destroyed Detroit. Corporate greed and corporate friendly politicians destroyed Detroit by making it so convenient for the auto industry to exploit Third World slave labor.

[@Lucas-dw4ws]

If this was true Fluffy Bunny. Where did the jobs go to. The industry didnt stop producing steel. Follow the product and where it went. If it was all about unions demanding causing bankruptcy why did the new company who took its place with a new name just move to another state where there arent so many unions or why did they move to country where unions are not allowed??? Do some research for yourself. He is right the unions demand more but companies demand more too. So do some research why does U.K. (England) still produce steel and Germany too, they are unionized. Why are american cars built with recycled steel??? Recycled steel from a non union country like China!!!!

[@harrysees3790]

Right on Robert! We not only need to unionize workers, but merge together all these little organizations together, and rid ourselves of the current "Fascist Corporate Government"!

[@Lords1997]

While working my first job at Blink Fitness I played with the idea of starting a Union for those of us in the fitness sector; trainers, front desk associates, even maintenance.

[@andymonk9505]

Proud Union family.Thank you for the prompt Union facts.

[@ddw764]

After my experiences at Dollar General and the (fractured) DOJ's lack of leverage to remedy the issues, I began looking into unions. The information provided on this YT channel is greatly assisting in my education of how I can effect change in a positive way that helps everyone now and in the future... Thank you! 🥰

[@donaldauguston9740]

About 30 years ago I worked for a company called Seattle First National Bank (now Bank of America). Just before the bank workers were to vote on whether to unionize or not, we got a memo from the frightened management telling us we would not get the benefits promised by the union, it was all lies. That we had terrific benefits "right now" and (get this - I'm summarizing here) have the blessing of working in an environment that is heated and well lit. I nearly laughed myself sick! Anyway, the union finally won and I got an immediate $1.25 an hour pay raise for a mere $15 in dues each month. That was MASSIVE to me and I have been a union person ever since.

[@williamcastillo3743]

As a 22 year old , I love unions , best paying jobs and benefits ... that 3% membership is hella worth it , pays for itself easily.

[@Bookhermit]

What happened to unions was that the unions themselves got powerful enough to become as corrupt as the corporations, so they lost groundroot support. Ever since then, the corporations have been able to use that era to vilify unions.

[@Ubotit_Unaymit]

Happy Labor Day!

[@CyrusPieris]

Thank you! Keep showing these videos. I am using it in the UK.

[@dv7548]

Thx for lessons keep bringing content. Our schools are not teaching social economics as they once had. You sure don't see it in the media.

[@user-oo6qk2fj9h]

Counterpoints: 1. The post war economic boom was the cause of higher wages and better quality of life not unions 2. The economic benefits don't really increase when everthing costs more. More money doesnt mean that the money has the same purchasing power. And stop with the virtuous cycle bs, unions declined because the companies just left liberal cities for more favorable places in South or overseas. If anything, unions are the ones to blame for it. 3. Yes, they are. Unions have armies of lawyers and lobbyists as large as corporations. Hell, in some places and jobs its mandatory to join unions and ceed any negotiating rights that you have as in individual to a faceless organization as large or in many cases larger than your employer. Also, there is more to unions than corporate unions, you have tons of public sector unions in this country. 4. So unions are more common in skilled labor jobs and positions rather than unskilled labor. But the amount of money you make doesnt mean shit if your union is taking away a significant portion of it. You also have to account for the cost of living in heavilty unionizd areas vs non unionized areas and the median salaries too. In south you get paid less but you live a better life than someone in an urban center with a little bit more money. Another thing is the number of hours worked. The analysis is incomplete to make such bold claims. 5. Again more money doesnt mean better quality of life. You can work in NYC as at ~$15 and have a worse life than someone in rural kentucky making ~$10, regardless of race. Unions are more likely to be in democrat strognholds and generaly speaking democrat strongholds are urban areas that have more miniroties. The analysis is half assed and more work needs to be put into it.

[@jacobtaylor8205]

That's why after becoming a IBEW electrician I may look into a non union job

[@judgetato]

No HR department will ever replace a Workers Union, HR is there to protect the company for the investors and will always do the absolute minimum legally necessary for the workers and will without hesitation side with the company, utilize doublespeak and all manner of sociological and psychological tricks to undermine and control the employees.

[@jannanijland5336]

Thank you RR for another very informative video! Keep them coming, please.

[@wingless2224]

I used to believe all these lies. I have been a union member for 7yrs now and the difference is amazing. Better benefits, better wage increases and representation if an accident happens. Couldn’t be happier or prouder to be in the BLET.

[@chrisose]

The offshoring of manufacturing work in the 80's was a major salvo against unions since almost all manufacturing labor was unionized.

[@thetawaves48]

Dr. Reich, please explain to everyone how "socialism" and "fascism" are two separate and distinct systems, and socialism is not what Nazism was.

[@walleye364]

If it wasn't for the union I'm in. Many other companies in the area would be paying half of the wages they are paying now. I worked for one of them in the past. We wrote the owner a letter and asked to keep wages closer to my company I am working for now. The owner did give us a $1 raise. I also had a supervisor harass me. I couldn't do anything about it. I didn't have a rep in the office. He would call me a stupid @#$ >< @ he denied it when I went to HR. Nothing was ever done. Unions need to offer more to the people to get stronger. A union pension. Offer lossed wages to offset injuries. Reach out to community charities. The steel workers need to back the sheet metal workers. Make sure the employees are getting fair treatment.

[@lookylooish]

Thank you Robert for standing up for America. You are still one of our truly national treasures!

[@PaulettaNelson]

Thanks for breaking this down.

[@nomiddlenamenmn427]

I love Robert Reich. Brilliant mind, gentle spirit. Thank you.

[@belkyhernandez8281]

Thank you. I continually share your pieces.

[@johncicchine7566]

The biggest lie I was told and I cannot believe he did not mention it was the one I was told so many times before I entered the work world in the 70's..."A good man does not need a union"!!! Yeh Right. I can assure all of you that that is not what life taught me!!! When the bosses brother in law needs a job and he is tired of his wife nagging him to help her brother and your job would be perfect YOU WILL NEED A UNION!!! Or if the work dispatcher does not agree with your politics what ever it may be YOU WILL NEED A UNION!!! THIS IS WHAT LIFE TAUGHT ME!!! How could he not have mentioned it is beyond me.

[@polyscott]

I currently work at a lumber yard which is unionized. I cant stand it. The senior guys get paid more for doing less and with less knowledge than that of the newer workers that have more knowledge and can do more skill sets than they do. They negotiated more money for the 10 senior guys who have been here 20+ years while saying no to raises for anyone who hadnt been here that long. If someone cannot produce in there respective job code and gets fired they throw a fit and say you cant fire people for no reason. The senior guys act like they run the place but have no idea how to run the place because in order to be moved up they would have to leave the union. I have earned every raise and promotion by myself my entire life, including the military. If my voice needs to be heard I speak up, if i get in trouble I take the punishment I deserve. Management may say "well take care of you" but where I work thats the same thing the union says. I know not all unions are like this however this was the first union I had ever been in, and all I have is sour milk taste from it.

[@stevengriffith436]

as a truck driver for over 20 years. Being all over the country i can honestly say that going to union places is the most miserable experience they are the slowest and most miserable people. I also went to truck driving school that was union. After I got my cdl I was on the property and some new students were talking to me and I was banned off of the property because an instructor thought I was giving them advice. Side note the school is no longer union.js

[@krisvalenti4141]

When someone tells me that unions are not necessary I tell them I hope you never find out why they are.

[@joshuaklingensmith7843]

Every time I work non union I get screwed