Right to Work and Why Unions are Declining

First and foremost, kudos to the state of Michigan for being the 24th state to pass Right to Work legislation. I suppose someone will flip this as a victory for "big business and "evil corporations", but I really have a hard time seeing it that way.  Unions used to make sense and they used to be an important tool for equality, but as a developed nation the model has outlived its usefulness.  In the past unions were needed to ensure workers were compensated fairly, in the present businesses need to be allowed to pay fair compensation.  The system moved past equality and now needs to have the freedom to move back to center.  Everyone shouts and screams about outsourcing of labor, but nobody is willing to own the fact that it's not just high priced labor, it's unfairly priced labor that motivates companies to look internationally.  In this economy and with the globalization of industry (and competition) American companies cannot afford to be forced to overpay or retain incompetent employees.  There are more jobs and more pay when companies can make a profit, reinvest, and compete.  That's better for everyone.

Also, lest us not forget that Right to Work gives workers the OPTION to join a union.  When you put this entire thing in that context it seems all the more off kilter.  If you're a organization that benefits your members and ensures better wages then is this really threatening?  Union dues are what, 1%-2%, do you really need a mandate to compel membership if you're in any way beneficial?  I've already posted about dangers of clinging to old traditions, so I won't rehash that, but this feels more like fear of change than anything else.

Finally, it's hard to discuss this topic without touching on the tactics employed by some of these union members.  There was a lot of banter on twitter today about "there will be blood" and the unfair treatment of groups like the tea party, and while I certainly don't disagree I'd rather not dive deeper into that spin zone.  The fact is that the actions of those individuals today was appalling and speaks volumes of how ignorant so many of these people must be.  Violence is the tool of the weak-minded, and was in full display by fools that were so incapable of expressing and defending their views that they had to resort to throwing punches and ripping down a tent.  I mean seriously, that display reeked of 13 year old bullies running a muck on the playground.  Here's a little advice to union leadership: build a solid product, use ethical tactics, and create enough value that members want to be a part of your organization.  That's what the economy you want to be a part of was built on.