>>>>
>>>>Minimum wage exists because unions fought for it, not to give teenagers jobs, but to ensure that workers were paid enough to live.
>>>>
>>>
>>>What's your opinion of unions who fight for exemptions from ACA and exemptions from minimum wage laws?
>>
>>Specific examples, please, rather than broad categories. I know you mention these things here now and then; I don't hear them anywhere else.
>>
>>Tamar
>
>First...pure hypocrisy that union leaders are looking for exemptions, given that they've opposed other employers seeking exemptions/special considerations. Proving once again that while unions might have served a good purpose years ago, they are nothing but political power groups seeking dues. This is a major story in California right now.
>
>http://www.latimes.com/local/lanow/la-me-ln-los-angeles-minimum-wage-unions-20150526-story.html
>
>There are also multiple stories out there regarding unionized workers making less than non-unionized counterparts. Here's one...and there are more...
>http://www.latimes.com/local/cityhall/la-me-union-minimum-wage-20160410-story.html
>
>Regarding unions and ACA - quite surprised that anyone following the news isn't aware of the political push/pull game regarding unions and ACA waivers dating back to 2013. There's a TON of information out there, including actual quotes and letters from Hoffa Jr. himself that would surprise people.
>
>So again, I ask you - what is your opinion of unions who fight for exemptions from the very political/economic causes (minimum wage, ACA, etc.) they claim to align with politically???

Kevin, you are beating a dead horse.
With a few rare exceptions, union power died decades ago.
However tempting it is to blame Reagan, et al for their demise, unions lost their power when:

a. women entered the work force en masse, effectively doubling the number of people chasing jobs
b. cheap imports made US products unsellable
c. technology replaced factory workers with machines.

The few remaining areas of union strength are in monopolies like goverment, communications, etc where lack of competition allows the employer to meet union demands. If those monopolies are broken up the unions will soon follow.

Was/is there hypocrisy in the union movement?
Of course there is.
If you find a human endeavor that's hypocrisy-free, please let me know.