UNION

[Oldfart]

I would like to see printer/copier techs unionized. What do y'all think?
Many of us have spent serious money getting educated to qualify for the positions we hold. A lot of us have a lot of years on the job and have precious little to show for it in benefits, especially if we work for small operations.
Many proprietors maximize thier profits by only keeping one or two really experienced and decently paid techs on staff, thereby denying advancement and earning potential to younger techs.
Copier techs should have the same kind of career earning opportunities as other skilled trades.

[RRodgers]

Re: UNION

FUCK NO!!!! I don't wanna make the same amount of money is the guy down the street who can't fix a toaster.

[seansbar]

Re: UNION

No way!!!!!!!!

I believe Unions are outdated. Gov't rules and laws are in place now that weren't in the early 1900's. Now Unions have put in place more red tape and politics than is necessary.

I will not choose to work in a place that is Unionized. Plus many of the small operations would not utilize union labor.

[Shadow]

Re: UNION

the first thing we would need to do is have this be a recognized trade, just like in Europe.
once that is done, then you are able to work towards an association or union.

[Hemlock]

Re: UNION

Absolutely.

Company owners, far too often, put costs onto their techs rather than absorbing them. Things like 8 am start times or 5 pm finish times at locations 90-100 miles from home base; not paying mileage to first or from last call, especially when the call is an excessive distance; requiring use of personal vehicle but objecting to routine maintenance like a quick oil change during work hours; only offering comp time for working late instead of paying overtime (often comp time is 1 hour for 1 hour instead of 1:1.5); not paying for legit sales leads; bosses playing favorites at raise/promotion time instead of advancing people based on merit; mileage reimbursement rates that lag far behind the swing in gas prices (who here sees more than 50 cents per mile?). We've all seen the shenanigans; maybe not at our current employer, but somewhere along the line.

Copier techs get taken advantage of. The only reason most of us stay with it is we like to repair things/work with our hands and hate being in the same office every day. While every system has its flaws (unions included) the benefits outweigh the occasional asshattery. There's no reason why we can't have a say in how our skills (and resources) are being utilized.

[exit148]

Re: UNION

Back in the 80's there was a Union Shop Copier Dealer in NYC. Willoughby Peerless. Ran a big retail camera store & had a copier divison that was a union shop. The camera division wasn't union, is still around & has been for years. The Copier Division is long gone............

[Jules Winfield]

Re: UNION

Good luck with that. If the copier industry goes union then it's going to have more scabs than a meth addict with OCD.

[mojorolla]

Re: UNION

At one point in this country's history, unions were a good thing; but that ship sailed a long time ago. I worked for a union for 10 years, almost 10k in dues over those 10 years. They decided to lay me off and give my job to 2 part timers so they wouldn't have to pay benefits. The union did nothing. Fuck unions! As stated earlier, I do not feel I should make the same money as someone else who knows a third of what I know.

My skills dictate what I make, not some slick haired, cigar smoking douche.

[Jules Winfield]

Re: UNION

My skills dictate what I make, not some slick haired, cigar smoking douche.

True dat...

[Oldfart]

Re: UNION

Some very good points on both sides of the issue - although I don't think profanity helps to make any kind of point. I have also been anti union most of my life. No union ever did anything for me. But man, these days I look around and see that guy that couldn't fix a toaster, in the operators union or some other union and he's making better money, and benefits than I am.
I agree that it won't work if only a few shops in any area go union, it only works if we leave the major proportion of business in a region without qualified service if we don't work.
Scabs? Really, can you be replaced by some chump off the street in a week? Can your owners/managers pick up the slack if all the techs leave? I suspect that they are so thinly staffed at all the other positions in their companies that they couldn't pick up more than one techs tasks for very long.
Yes unions like any other human enterprise are subject to many human failings, including corruption and greed, but don't we owe it to ourselves and our families to improve our positions?
Aren't we worth as much as carpenters, electricians, welders, pipe-fitters, plumbers, etc...?

Just sayin'

[Jules Winfield]

Re: UNION

Scabs? Really, can you be replaced by some chump off the street in a week?

In the copier industry, absolutely. Unfortunately it happens all the time. In the real world, copier dealership owners/managers see technicians as necessary evils. The seasoned veterans who know their job inside and out are seen as a waste of money compared to the blow and go young tech who"ll show up for half the salary. If you're looking for appreciation and proper compensation in this industry, go into sales.

[blackcat4866]

Re: UNION

If you talk to somebody that's a member of a union, they'll tell you that, Sure they make great wages, and they pay a big portion of it back to the union. If you're objective is to get compensated appropriately for your level of experience, an unencumbered market is your best chance. Just my 2 cents ... =^..^=

[mojorolla]

Re: UNION

I would join the union under one condition: the sales staff is in the same union. That way we all get bonuses, incentive promos, company trips, paid lunches, and an expense account. Sign me up!

[RRodgers]

Re: UNION

Some very good points on both sides of the issue - although I don't think profanity helps to make any kind of point. I have also been anti union most of my life. No union ever did anything for me. But man, these days I look around and see that guy that couldn't fix a toaster, in the operators union or some other union and he's making better money, and benefits than I am.
I agree that it won't work if only a few shops in any area go union, it only works if we leave the major proportion of business in a region without qualified service if we don't work.
Scabs? Really, can you be replaced by some chump off the street in a week? Can your owners/managers pick up the slack if all the techs leave? I suspect that they are so thinly staffed at all the other positions in their companies that they couldn't pick up more than one techs tasks for very long.
Yes unions like any other human enterprise are subject to many human failings, including corruption and greed, but don't we owe it to ourselves and our families to improve our positions?
Aren't we worth as much as carpenters, electricians, welders, pipe-fitters, plumbers, etc...?

Just sayin'

Fuck no... we are worth more! Nothing against plumbers but can they set up scan to email as well as fix the copier?

[Shadow]

Re: UNION

I think that the first step would be to have a pole and see how many Tech's would be interested in forming an Association first.
Being organized with some influence behind us would go a long way. Employers and Government would have to start paying attention to the lonely copier tech.

Please post your thoughts along with what you see as the pro's and con's of such an association.