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headphase t1_iy5adjb wrote

Reply to comment by ChornWork2 in A Rikers Officer Had Sex With a Detainee. It Took 7 Years to Fire Him. by marshall_project

>oppose public sector unions but support private sector ones.

I don't think it's as simple as this; let's consider less-contentious examples like FDNY or Sanitation. Both groups are public servants, and both derive huge (justified) protections for their members.. which arguably would not otherwise exist without representation. No mayor will campaign on buying indoor truck exhaust rigging for every fire station as a cancer prevention measure, because frankly the public doesn't give a shit about (or vote based on) that.

Maybe you'll say "ok, then oppose law enforcement unions only" which is a fair reaction, but I think the argument can still be made that without law enforcement unions, we (the citizens) would endure even worse outcomes in criminal justice and public safety. Consider things like training standards/pay, off-duty support infrastructure (mental health, medical, financial, etc), and protection from improper discipline. It's easy to imagine a city where unrepresented cops/guards act with greater violence, worse competence, and less discretion.

(Disclaimer: private sector union member who sees value in representation for all workers)

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ChornWork2 t1_iy5d2fz wrote

overwhelming majority of workers aren't unionized, including presumably those that work with vehicles in an indoor setting. If it is a serious issue, likely should change workplace safety rules generally.

Yeah, zero chance on convincing of the value of police unions. Utterly corrupt against the public interest and they feel no shame in making that clear. Hell, look at how cops have corrupted prosecutorial process (look at grand jury indictment rates when a cop is the accused) as an example...

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headphase t1_iy5mf0n wrote

>overwhelming majority of workers aren't unionized

Huh? That's just wrong. For the examples I gave, DSNY is Teamsters 831 (93% membership) , FDNY is IAFF 94 (82%+ membership)

>If it is a serious issue, likely should change workplace safety rules generally.

The example I gave is just one of many which go beyond the scope of basic OSHA compliance. With even an ounce of critical thinking, you can surely appreciate the amount of protections a labor group can gain for themselves through the collective bargaining process.

By the way, who do you think spent the 20th Century fighting to earn the most basic workplace safety rules (and beyond), if not unions?

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ChornWork2 t1_iy5q4tp wrote

I meant majority of workers in general, including peeps that have to work in indoor settings with vehicles.

Public unions don't make any sense. If wanted to say had a rule to incorporate best practices around safety or whatever, so be it.

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