tazzboy Posted August 11, 2013 Share Posted August 11, 2013 Looks like Chicago is the latest to be union. Make you wonder how long before all the stores are. http://www.rollingstone.com/politics/news/guitar-center-unionization-effort-spreads-to-chicago-20130811?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+Rollingstone%2FCNN%2FNews+%28RollingStone.com+--+CNN%29 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
darling67 Posted August 11, 2013 Share Posted August 11, 2013 We heard a little bit about this at a "town hall" meeting last week. Not sure how many stores will opt for unionization. But it's clear that not all of the 251 locations are on-board with the idea. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Searcy Posted August 12, 2013 Share Posted August 12, 2013 If mine goes union it will be the end of me shopping there. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Big Bill Posted August 12, 2013 Share Posted August 12, 2013 If mine goes union it will be the end of me shopping there. Same here. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bonzoboy Posted August 12, 2013 Share Posted August 12, 2013 I can't understand why some people have such an anti-union sentiment.People fail to realize that it was through the work and bravery in a lot of cases of union people that got paid sick leave to be part of just about every workplace now because non-union shops etc. were having a hard time hiring people when only employers that allowed unions were giving their workers benefits.If not for unions there would be no pensions,vacation pay,overtime pay,health plans and the list goes on. If not for unions workers would still be at the mercy of unscrupulous employers and now even non union workers have rights to protect and fight unfair labour practices by going to government run workers rights boards,which came about directly from pressure on governments from unions. The next time you work on a stat holiday and get time and a half or double time,take a sick day with pay,go on vacation from work,remember that it was directly because of unionized workers who often did without pay for weeks and even months at times so that all workers would some day benefit.It would also be worthwhile remembering that some venues won't hire musicians unless they are paid up members of The American Musicians Union as I was when I was gigging regularly. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Searcy Posted August 12, 2013 Share Posted August 12, 2013 And if not for slavory there would have been no rail roads or industrial agriculture in America but I still think it sucks. I worked for a union shop once and then i worked for a shop that was being taken over by a union. Given a choice I will never patronize a union shop. Like slavory its an outdated concept from a bygone era. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kaleb Posted August 12, 2013 Share Posted August 12, 2013 I can't understand why some people have such an anti-union sentiment.People fail to realize that it was through the work and bravery in a lot of cases of union people that got paid sick leave to be part of just about every workplace now because non-union shops etc. were having a hard time hiring people when only employers that allowed unions were giving their workers benefits.If not for unions there would be no pensions,vacation pay,overtime pay,health plans and the list goes on. If not for unions workers would still be at the mercy of unscrupulous employers and now even non union workers have rights to protect and fight unfair labour practices by going to government run workers rights boards,which came about directly from pressure on governments from unions. The next time you work on a stat holiday and get time and a half or double time,take a sick day with pay,go on vacation from work,remember that it was directly because of unionized workers who often did without pay for weeks and even months at times so that all workers would some day benefit.It would also be worthwhile remembering that some venues won't hire musicians unless they are paid up members of The American Musicians Union as I was when I was gigging regularly. One important thing brought on by unions in American history was safe working conditions. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MrNylon Posted August 12, 2013 Share Posted August 12, 2013 Unions have caused the closure, and demise of way to many companies in the US. A union has done wonders for Colt. And the same gang has done the same for the US auto industry. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cabba2203 Posted August 12, 2013 Share Posted August 12, 2013 ROFL! I love the way pro-unionites propagandize the union, they always talk about the long ago, back when employers chained workers to desks and locked them into buildings so they couldn't leave before the whistle blew, but not about the union today - which is all about politics and money. It's about power and strangling companies out of business. The day of the union being a good, positive and necessary organization ended many years ago. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BobF_ Posted August 12, 2013 Share Posted August 12, 2013 I have no problem with *private* sector unions. I personally don't like them, but I respect the right of employees to unionize in an effort to maintain balance in the "market". Yes, they are corrupted and political, but so is corporate America. *Unskilled* folks need representation - history tells us that those with the greater power will more likely than not exploit those with less power to the maximum extent possible. I also think it folly for unions or the gubment to attempt to make GC and McD's pay career-type wages and benefits for people filling what have traditionally been transitional jobs filled by teens and young adults as they progress towards career-oriented employment. *Public* unions are a plague. There is no market to balance against them, no chance of the business that employees them going under to reset the balance. Instead, unelected bureaucrats adjust tax assessments to make up the difference. No chance for those of us paying the wages/benefits to take our business elsewhere. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Farnsbarns Posted August 12, 2013 Share Posted August 12, 2013 In before the lock. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
darling67 Posted August 12, 2013 Share Posted August 12, 2013 Yes, they are corrupted and political, but so is corporate America. *Unskilled* folks need representation - history tells us that those with the greater power will more likely than not exploit those with less power to the maximum extent possible. Indeed, bobf8332! Personally, I hope this company will take the necessary steps, with regard to compensation, so that unionizing won't be an attractive option, nor a necessity. That said, GC is owned by Bain Capital! So, maybe unions aren't a bad idea, in this case, after all. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RowdyMoon Posted August 12, 2013 Share Posted August 12, 2013 Like slavory its an outdated concept from a bygone era. Apparently you have never been to Walmart! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DanvillRob Posted August 12, 2013 Share Posted August 12, 2013 If mine goes union it will be the end of me shopping there. Pretty simple....if they go union, (and I'm pretty confident they will in California), then the costs go up....when the costs go up, they charge more for the stuff there.....so we'll all be buying from elsewhere, (and I suspect the pro-unionists will too). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RowdyMoon Posted August 12, 2013 Share Posted August 12, 2013 Unions are a catch 22 scenario...non-union you generally get crap working conditions low wages and get screwed over because you didn't suck the corporate weiner.......with unions you get good working conditions and good wages and sometimes fairness..that being said unions can backfire because it lets the dog fornicators loose to keep a job they don't deserve and can sometimes drive wages too high for the type of job they do...........$7 dollars an hour is unfair for anyone to try to support a family but really, $30 dollars an hour to screw on a bolt is insane as well....there must be a balance somewhere. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dustymars Posted August 12, 2013 Share Posted August 12, 2013 Before many unions joined the communist movement they served a useful purpose. Now all they are is an extension of the Communist Party USA, or they DNC; both unteachable. With the dismal high unemployment that is caused by the Socialist Democrat Party then unions membership will suffer the most. Before you progressive/liberal/commies respond then listen up -- I was in the IAM for 16 years before he stinking union and management sent 44,000 of us EAL people packing. Good for me because I went right back to work elsewhere. The day of union usefulness is over, now all they are useful fools. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
darling67 Posted August 12, 2013 Share Posted August 12, 2013 With the dismal high unemployment that is caused by the Socialist Democrat Party then unions membership will suffer the most.... LOL! We didn't need the "Socialist Democratic Party" to cause high unemployment. The vulture capitalistic Republicans and war-mongering Neo-cons had that covered! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BobF_ Posted August 12, 2013 Share Posted August 12, 2013 Really quick before this gets locked ... "They" are all in it together. Wake up and smell the coffee! They mug for the cameras, call each other names then go have cocktails and laugh about how distracted they have us on shZt that don't matter while they rob us blind! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Searcy Posted August 12, 2013 Share Posted August 12, 2013 Apparently you have never been to Walmart! I wouldn't be caught dead in a Walmart :-) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bongoscot Posted August 12, 2013 Share Posted August 12, 2013 When employers treat their employees fairly, they don't unionize. Regardless, I had decided over a year ago that I would never step into a Guitar Center again. Not because of politics or unions, though I have strong opinions on both, it is because every time I have ever entered a Guitar center their customer service sucks. They are either totally disinterested in you or all over you like flies on poop. Last time I was in their local store was when I was shopping for a Les Paul. I asked one guy a question and he said "I'll be right back", then disappeared never to return. The rest of the employees were either outside smoking or doing everything they could to avoid eye contact with customers. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DanvillRob Posted August 12, 2013 Share Posted August 12, 2013 LOL! We didn't need the "Socialist Democratic Party" to cause high unemployment. The vulture capitalistic Republicans and war-mongering Neo-cons had that covered! Well...THAT'LL cause a lockdown! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DanvillRob Posted August 12, 2013 Share Posted August 12, 2013 I wouldn't be caught dead in a Walmart :-) Me either~! (but I do shop there from time to time). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rct Posted August 12, 2013 Share Posted August 12, 2013 I'm glad all you folks have other places to go. Before there was GC around here there were two big Fender and Gibson franchises. After GC, there is only GC, so we have no place else to go. The companies have driven up the cost of franchising so high that nobody can do it. Sure, there are mom and pop store here and there, and they are excellent if you need to nail the Jay Turser tone. For the big ones, there isn't anyone within less than an hours drive. So hopefully they will work out whatever, because they are the only store in town here. rct Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BobF_ Posted August 12, 2013 Share Posted August 12, 2013 I have 3 GCs all roughly 2 to 2-1/2 hours each way. Out of the 3, 2 of them provide excellent service and an all-around good experience shopping there. The other is OK, but not the same level as the other 2. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DanvillRob Posted August 12, 2013 Share Posted August 12, 2013 I have 3 GCs all roughly 2 to 2-1/2 hours each way. Out of the 3, 2 of them provide excellent service and an all-around good experience shopping there. The other is OK, but not the same level as the other 2. Here in the SF Bay Area you can't swing a dead cat without hitting a GC. I'll bet there are a half dozen within an hour of my house. If there are no choices, then unionizing won't drive customers away...but could cause a 'Mom 'n Pop' store to open......Then you'd have to frequent the GC only for the 'big stuff', (e.g .Fender guitars and amps; Gibson guitars, etc.) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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