

Danielle Favorite | By Danielle Favorite | The Kalamazoo Gazette
on February 25, 2013 at 7:00 AM
Right To Work Michigan.JPG Protesters gather for a rally at the State Capitol in Lansing in this file photo.  


Unions have been getting a bad rap for a long time. As a public employee and also a union member, I know the realities and fantasies. For years, we not only didn’t take raises, but, in some cases took pay cuts and made other concessions.

A large portion of Democratic campaign money comes from unions. What better way to get rid of the whole Democratic party than to take away their funding? Do we really want a one-party government? Haven’t we been lied to and mislead enough by the Republican party? I wasn’t comfortable with Proposal 2, because we shouldn’t have to change our constitution to protect our rights, but I was proven wrong.

A person shouldn’t have to join a union to be employed, but they also shouldn’t be allowed to enjoy benefits they’re not willing to pay for them, from a union they don’t believe in. The union should not have to protect them. They should not receive the same benefits, collective bargaining contracts, wages or raises.

When hired, they should know they are on their own if they choose not to join the union. Most people frown on squatters.

The state continues to cut its own throat and we pay the price. They push privatization and then cry because there isn’t enough money to pay retirement and medical benefits. I feel sorry for young people. There are no longer incentives to work hard and no loyalties. In most cases there are no promotions and you’re never going to move up or do better.

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