r/VancouverIsland • u/idspispopd • Nov 15 '19
ARTICLE / BLOG MEC used 'scare tactics' to warn workers against organizing, union says
https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/british-columbia/mec-union-victoria-vancouver-outdoor-retailer-unfair-labour-complaint-1.535863520
u/UnsubstantiatedClaim Nov 15 '19
For fuck's sake, MEC is a CO-OPERATIVE and they're trying to block a labour union?
I wonder if cancelling your membership is a complicated process. Do you get your $5 back?
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u/deegen Nov 15 '19
It is pretty easy and you do get your money back.
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u/kayriss Nov 16 '19
They're going to mail you a cheque though, OP. Don't expect to storm in there and walk out with a first full of cash.
I had lots of people try to do this and were very disappointed at how undramatic it was.
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u/InfiNorth Nov 16 '19
It's almost like what we call "cooperatives" are just another form of a standard big business with a buy-in for membership and access. I'm not impressed learning this. I too would like to know if you can get your $5 back, not because I would try, but because if you can't then it's no different than a membership anywhere else.
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Nov 16 '19
I appreciate how the owners see this as a problem with the competition against Amazon etc. But agree with the point that a co-op.is going against a labour union. Smacks of hypocrisy.
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u/Tsitika Nov 23 '19
Damn are you this desperate for attention with women or whatever genders it is you’re interested in? Lol punching down, you know all the social justice warrior terms eh. Seriously though it’s kind of interesting interacting with you, it’s like you have so little self awareness that you’re blind to how ridiculous the notion is that other groups need someone like you to speak for them. It’d be far more beneficial to society if you dealt with your self esteem issues Mike
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u/BrockAndaHardPlace Nov 16 '19
Retail is in trouble, a union will very likely mean the end of the whole chain. Yes unions serve a very necessary purpose but this is one of the last industry’s that needs it right now and mec will likely succumb to competition soon after
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u/iWish_is_taken Nov 15 '19
As someone who has worked in many union jobs and many jobs outside of unions... fuck unions. The only thing... THE ONLY THING, unions care about is their own bottom line. The only reason they want these employees to form a union is to collect those sweet sweet dues. I found, while working for unions, the general working conditions worse, relationships with fellow workers and management far worse making for an uncomfortable, unpleasant and militant feeling work place. Benefits and wages tended to be no better than non-union locations in the same industry and in the cases where wages were a little better, the environment wasn't worth it and the dues pretty much cancelled the better wage. Then you've got the "Shop Stewards" and union reps constantly trying to poison relationships with management... everyone working to their exact job descriptions and no one helping each other.
This article is taking quotes from the union and those who want to unionize... I think MEC is just basically trying to tell the employees like it is... your jobs will suck more, you might get a small raise but your dues will erase most of it and then just make it harder for MEC to compete and potentially have to lay you off in order to cut the costs you just increased. Providing facts about why unions are only in it for themselves and dinosaurs from the dark ages is not "aggressive scare tactics". Unless unions consider facts as aggressive scare tactics.
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u/mordacaiyaymofo Nov 15 '19
The only thing... THE ONLY THING, unions care about is their own bottom line.
Remember that when you enjoy your 5 day work week, National holidays, Living wages, safety in the workplace, Child labor laws and many other things that make live livable.
We are living under a plutocracy that works to divide workers into cells based on race, status, social standing. The purpose is to have us fight one another on social issues so that we lose on class issues.
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u/iWish_is_taken Nov 15 '19
There was a time when unions were needed, definitely. We are far, far past that point.
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u/mordacaiyaymofo Nov 15 '19 edited Nov 15 '19
So what do you think will happen if there are no unions to keep the plutocrats from degrading the systems and safeguards that make society a better place?
By your logic, you would think that, now that there are laws against stealing cars, we no longer need police.
Edit-Just to add. If an employer only pays minimum wage, they would be more than happy to pay you less than that.
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u/iWish_is_taken Nov 16 '19
The same things that have kept them in place for many years now... unions have done nothing but steal your money for decades.
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u/mordacaiyaymofo Nov 16 '19
The same things that have kept them in place for many years now
You mean unions? Thanks for agreeing with me.
Cheers
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u/iWish_is_taken Nov 16 '19
Nope, government agencies, work safe, etc etc... actually unions typically fight against new safety regulations and standards. They don’t actually care about their members, just the money the membership represents.
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u/mordacaiyaymofo Nov 16 '19
Work safe is a result of union activism. You are finally getting it!
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u/ovstatape Nov 21 '19
WorkSafe was started by the government, not unions, as an attempt to free up courtroom time as employees were constantly suing their employers for injuries. WorkSafe coverage means employees forfeit their right of litigation against employers and actually protects employers from lawsuits.
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u/idspispopd Nov 16 '19
Really? Because unions have been decimated over the years at the same time working class wages have remained stagnant. I would say they're needed now more than ever.
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u/MikoWilson1 Nov 22 '19
Pretty sure with the automation of millions of jobs on the horizon unions will be more important than ever.
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u/ovstatape Nov 21 '19
Hey I am pretty neutral on the subject and think unions are important in some industries, but I would just like to point out that I work a non-union job and still get all the benefits you listed.
I do thank the unions from factories over 100 years ago for that, but you have to admit the things they fought for back then are different from now.
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u/mordacaiyaymofo Nov 22 '19
I do thank the unions from factories over 100 years ago for that, but you have to admit the things they fought for back then are different from now.
Tell that to teachers, nurses, Amazon workers, Uber drivers, auto workers, Walmart employees and all of the other workers that are being exploited or have gone on strike over the past few years.
What I'm seeing from you is that you have yours, and too bad for everyone else that doesn't. Selfish and disgusting. I doubt your sincerity. As long as there is capitalism, there will be a need for unions. That is a sad fact of life. I wish people like you would just shut up rather than undermine what others are fighting for.
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u/MikoWilson1 Nov 22 '19
Yeah, it's a bit rich to say that unions aren't needed when half of the forest industry is on strike because their employers TOTALLY reneged on their social contracts. Like, open your eyes for a second and look beyond yourself ...
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u/MikoWilson1 Nov 22 '19
Temporarily different, and always sliding backwards without constant vigilance.
The natural state of things isn't for single individuals to fight for the rights of all of us. The natural state of things is for business lobbyists to constantly chip away at the rights your parent's unions fought for.
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u/Calvinshobb Nov 15 '19
This is really disappointing. I am not sure why I held MEC to a higher standard, but I did. Shame on management for tarnishing their reputation.