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Union Workers Protest Local BusinessesHuge banners proclaim “shame” on Continental Motors.ANCHORAGE - If you’ve driven past the intersection of Old Seward and International in Anchorage any time in the last six months, you’ve probably noticed the signs. Huge banners proclaiming “shame” on Continental Motors. Carpenter’s Local 1281 is behind the protest. A flyer proclaims that Continental has eroded the “American Way of Life” for using contractors to build a warehouse for the car dealer that did not use all union labor. ReMax Properties is being targeted for similar reasons. Owner Mark Korting said it wasn’t a total surprise. He got a letter in May from the union detailing their grievances. The union is protesting the fact that a contractor hired to build a new headquarters for ReMax used a subcontractor who in turn, used some non-union labor. Korting said he doesn’t feel that makes him or his business anti-union. “We do feel that we are being treated a little unfairly,” said Korting. “Both with the 'Shame on Remax,' what does that mean? And then they are passing out these papers that call us rats!” The union isn’t doing interviews and won’t talk about the protest tactic. It may be legal, but some question whether it’s fair. The targeted businesses said they haven’t lost any business as a result of the protests. The union said it doesn’t plan to end them any time soon. |
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markwilder said on Tuesday, Apr 2 at 7:14 AM
non union companies have historically exploited employees for financial gains by not paying fair wages,benefits,and pensions.sub-contractors have always used and exploited workers in the same mannor.lets even the playing field and not let greed corrupt our thinking and perceptions on what is really going on.company executives are paid generously...to beat the little guys out of a realistic chance of prosperity and they get big money to do it.
117407081oliver_optic said on Wednesday, Aug 15 at 8:08 AM
I was always wondering what the sign was about. The people behind it spend most of the day texting.
99187116Robo said on Sunday, Aug 12 at 6:03 PM
People that are in unions need to wake-up to the corruption -- you get peanuts, while the leadership jet around and wear 500 dollars suits and stay in the most expensive hotel rooms....just like GSA management. While the taxpayer and other chumps pay for their extravagant lifestyle. Enough!!
98988101Fuzzy said on Sunday, Aug 12 at 5:25 PM
Free Country. I'm OK with the Unions protesting, and I'm OK with private corps NOT using Unions. I'll say this, the union at my work doesn't impress me, and haven't from day 1. Particularly when at the orientation I was told (direct quote) "In your first year (probation) you need to work hard and do the best you can because we can't really protect you. After that, you can do pretty much whatever you want." Doesn't really inspire employees to do their best now does it?
98985976Km Pontiac said on Sunday, Aug 12 at 2:00 PM
Sounds like a bunch of anti-union trolls here -- spouting unsubstantiated innuendo and ambiguous drivel. To Dirtbagger: You say Union wages are unsustainable yet seem to have no qualms with the huge profits that corporations make. Neither to you mention any objection to the huge salaries and/or golden parachutes of CEOs, CFOs, etc. -- I suppose you think those are sustainable. . .??? Or is it you're just anti-union using this forum to spread your hate anonymously.
98975136Mr Man said on Sunday, Aug 12 at 1:17 AM
I deliberately seek out non-union workers if I need something done. It's this kind of behavior that makes me hate unions. A union worker gets paid twice as much as a non-union worker and does it job in twice the time. I'm glad you union workers have that great pay and benefits but I'm not going to pay for it. You all are a bunch of crybabies that need to bully people for support.
98934542Seriously said on Saturday, Aug 11 at 4:13 PM
Half the time not even union workers doing the protesting...knew a guy who stood outside Walgreens with the same sign...asked him why and he said "I have no idea, I was hired to stand out there for $11.00 an hour" so, there ya have it
98908376Dirtbagger said on Saturday, Aug 11 at 11:50 AM
get over it Union workers and get back to work,just like overpriced fed/state workers your pay and benefits arent sutainable in todays reccession and i for one am tired of paying for it with my hard earned (non-union pay) tax dollars.Any busniess has the right to choose whomever they want to complete the job at hand.take a good look at your gas/electric bills u can thank union workers and the Dems for that!!!
98894752Preacher said on Saturday, Aug 11 at 9:36 AM
I have been forced to join three unions, pay large amounts of money for initiations and dues, and when the initial jobs ended, the unions disapeared along with the money. The unions no longer work for the American worker they prey on them instead. Unions Suck
98887206Paul said on Saturday, Aug 11 at 12:03 AM
This is a capitalist free market. Each person/businees chooses the service pr product they want to purchase. If Unions want a bigger share of the market they should either improve what they offer to justify the increased cost or lower their prices. It's not the consumers fault if the union does not offer the best deal.
98860386John Watsjold said on Friday, Aug 10 at 11:18 PM
We live in a country that the Supreme Court has ruled that Corporations have more rights than we do as individuals. I believe that Unions should have the right to free speech and freedom of expression just like we think we do.
98859111Joesph said on Friday, Aug 10 at 10:02 PM
The Unions only want an equal playing field. They do not want Corporate America to beat up us blue collar workers by lowering wages no health insurance and training. I am glad the Unions are here to stand up for the workers. Having a good wage,health insurance and a retirement is at least some sort of future benefit to society , rather than a burden without those benefits. Just think about it!!
98856656matthew said on Friday, Aug 10 at 8:50 PM
I've seen these signs around town. Hilton, sheraton, safeway, continental, remax. I only wish I had millons of dollars worth of business I could do with these businesses so I could support them while they union bullies try to destroy them.
98853606Citizen Taxpayer said on Friday, Aug 10 at 8:48 PM
So if a Company decides 'not to use All' union workers, Union Locals will rally their members to protest and hope to hurt those Companies business at the least and to put them out of business at the worst. What America needs is less Unions and more personal responsibilities.
98853536Melvin Kewan said on Friday, Aug 10 at 8:25 PM
The private business sector can choose who does the work, whether union or not! the union leaders are afraid of lossing all those expensive benefits that the private sector pays for! Shame on Unions....trying to muscle out the non-union workers
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