>>>>
>>>>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???
Thanks for the links. Can't follow everything in the news; I'm already spending way too much time reading news and opinion these days.
As I expected, the issue here is flexibility. This is from your second link:
"But they say their central purpose is to offer union members flexibility to negotiate a superior package of employee benefits in which lower hourly wages can be offset by other perks, such as health insurance."
I hope we can agree that the total package for an employee is what should be measured.
On the issue of ACA waives, I find decent evidence that it's FUD:
http://www.politifact.com/truth-o-meter/statements/2011/may/23/crossroads-gps/unions-dont-have-comply-obamacare-says-crossroads-/http://articles.latimes.com/2013/oct/03/news/la-ol-obamacare-waivers-exemptions-hyperbole-20131002Tamar
