Unions: I need an intellegent discussion on their validity

[lumberjim]

The salesforce in our dealership went union shortly before the current regime took over ( yes, i think the last GM got the boot for allowing this to happen).

I'ts unusual for a car dealership to be union, but there it is. My perception is that the salesmen get better benefits than i do....and they get them for free. they have a kickass payplan, too. on the otherside, they too are subject to the terms of their agreement. this means they get written up regularly for being below average, late or whatever else they do wrong. It all goes into their file, and they can be terminated for it after 3 warnings. They get held closely to the rules so that their leverage is limited. they have to attend quarterly union meetings, blah blah blah, and i'm sure they pay dues, but overall, i think they definitely benefit from the arangement.

It does lay the foundation of an adversarial relationship between the salesmen and management, though. Not that that isn't true in a non union shop.