Survey Results

I found my survey results rather disappointing. Because half of the takers were unemployed, and the majority were 18-24, most results were random guessing and many free-response answers were ignorant or left blank. However, some results were interesting. For example, for the questoin about functions of unions, some people actually said suppress employees or take money from workers. Additionally, some said unions benefit neither the employer not the employee. No survey taker realized the benefits globally from mandatory unionization. I think this survey just showed how Americans still view unions as "corrupt" and that any form of control (by mandatory unionization) is right infringement. No survey taker looked at the big picture of WHY unions are necessary. Clearly, Americans only look at how they are directly affected and focus on any small amount of negativity on the subject, disregarding the mass benefits of mandatory unionization.

Lost Horizon- Mythology

USPS photos

<- This is an image of Southeast Michigan's United States Postal Service Metroplex building. It is over 8,000 square feet, located in Pontiac, Michigan.

<- This is close-up view of the sign in the previous picture. Notice it says "Michigan Metroplex P & DC." The P & DC stands for production and distribution center.

<- This photograph was taken inside the Michigan Metroplex P & DC. Shown is the Delivery Barcode Sorter machine which is responsible for sorting letters at an incredible speed for accurate distribution.

Second Life

Below is a screen shot form the computer game "Second Life." The name of this virtual world suggests a lot. It implies that not only do you enter another world, but you take on a whole additional life. You are able to create your own look, personality, and relationships with other Second Life avatars.

Revision Reflection

It is impossible to perfect any piece of writing. This is even more impossible with limited time and proof-readers. After reading the whopping five comments left on my final draft, I went back to reread my essay very carefully. Then, I went back and did it again checking for any mistakes I missed the first time. It was easy to pick out most of the grammatical errors, and hopefully, but rather unlikely, I got them all. I also tried to read it from someone else's point of view. That is easier said than done. A major critique in my comments was about odd sentences. Having read other awkward sentences and knowing their frustration, I tried my very best to pick these out and adjust them. However, knowing the flow and meter in which to read these sentences myself, they all made sense in my mind! So, this is where the reading as someone else came in. The fixing of confusing sentences is essential because such sentences can take away from the flow, message, and impact of the essay. I was able to find a few sentences and awkward phrases to fix. Hopefully, the end result will be simple to comprehend and flow smoothly!

Labor unions

Unionization is a popular topic being debated in the United States as well as other economically competitive countries. Ever since the world has focused on the “global economy”, the U.S., its corporations and companies, have been forced to weaken unions in order for their operations to stay economically feasible. While many in the US scrutinize mandatory unionization and push for right-to-work legislation, other countries such as Iraq are fighting to create unions to help their economy and civilian life. In Iraq, given the recent government change and US occupation, there has been a hostile reaction to the new unions that have formed to satisfy the needs of workers. Other companies that are located in mandated union states are spending money and effort to find loopholes around union restrictions. The three scholarly articles read reflect both positive and negative views on unions while offering an explanation as to their functions and powers.
In the essay “Between Soldiers and Bombs: Iraq’s Fledgling Labor Movement” from Multinational Monitor (2005), David Bacon discusses the efforts of Iraqi workers to form unions to fight against US occupation and unfair economic laws. During Saddam Hussein’s reign, he issued legislation banning unions and any form of collective bargaining. Even though the US is now occupying Iraq for supposed “liberation,” Saddam’s legislation has not been dismantled. Quite the opposite, new laws have been issued that also limit the rights of workers in Iraq. The two major developing union organizations in Iraq are the Iraqi Federation of Trade Unions (IFTU) and the Federation of Workers Councils and Unions of Iraq (FWCUI). Although the IFTU and FWCUI disagree on some political issues, they both are fighting for fair wages for workers. Unfortunately, not only do they face government opposition, but union heads within these organizations are being targeted by extremists left over from Hussein’s secret police. There have been 3 murders of such individuals as well as kidnappings. While the some unions have been successful in raising wages- most from $35 per month to $100 per month- the developing of unions in Iraq still has a long way to go.
Marvin Kosters analyzes the history of unions in his essay “Unions and the Economy,” from The World and I (2004), stating that the power of unions to negotiate worker wages is directly dependant on the strength of competition within the labor market. Unionization in America is steadily decreasing. Due to global competition, American unions are likely to continue to decrease because it will be impossible for companies to continue to increase wages and still be competitive in the global market. The public perception of unions has been very beneficial to the growth of unions until recently. In the public’s eyes, unions were made to help employees earn reasonable wages, which today, although not necessarily in the near future, is not a big issue because of state and federal mandated minimum wages. In addition, in the 60’s and 70’s unions were partially blamed for the large amount of inflation of the U.S. dollar. Even with the public’s swaying perception, no legal work was passed in order to voice the general public’s opinion in the national government. Because of the current changing economy, unions are sure to see further change and grow in influence.
In her essay “Local Rx: Developing Return-to-Work Programs in Unionized Companies” from Risk Management (2009) Rebecca Shafer describes the difficulties employers have to create Return-to-Work Programs with the Unions trying to keep the worker on leave by all means. Unions fight for injured workers’ worker compensation and getting the employers to cover medical expenses. Employers are trying to offer return-to-work programs to get the employee back to work in a timely fashion in order to cut expenses and keep up productivity. Employers face restrictions from the collective bargaining agreement, making it difficult to make arrangements to transfer employees around if needed. Employers also have to be careful that they are bargaining in “good faith” so they do not face any violations. However, the employers argue that they should not even have to bargain this agreement with the Unions because it is their right to manage their business, thus allowing them to implement the program on their own. Unless employers realize the steps they need to take to eliminate loopholes and manage issues of past-practices, the careful song-and-dance of bargaining return-to-work programs with unions will continue.
As unions have grown and developed in the past in America, they are presently doing so around the world. However, American unions are facing some external pressure to change their policies in order to accommodate the changing global market. Labor unions world-wide are battling opposition from the government. Be it Saddam’s outdated laws in Iraq or the United States’ economic recession requiring greater global competition, labor unions are faced with many challenges. Union organizations have a difficult fight ahead of them to maintain fair wages while also battling legislation that outlaws their very existence.

Research Proposal

Samantha Shanaberger

COMP 106

09-23-09

Right to Work Laws

Forced unionization is currently being debated due to high unemployment rates and the economic recession. While some states are pushing for Right to Work laws, which outlaw mandatory unionization, I plan to research the benefits of Union states. Union representation is largely better for employees, and overall better for the States’ economies.

I hope my survey will be taken by various age groups and occupations so my results represent the general public’s opinions. My goal is to phrase the questions and answers in a way that the survey takers are able to form their own opinions and express them accordingly. The questions in my survey are about whether unions are good or bad for global markets versus local ones, their willingness to join a union, as well as issues such as monthly dues and the media’s portrayal of unions. I hope to yield supportive results so I won’t have to adjust the survey too drastically.

I plan on interviewing an adult who has been or is currently in a union. This way, they can express both the benefits and detriments of being in a union from first-hand experiences. Hopefully, hearing testimonial from such an interviewee will educate readers on union’s benefits. I plan on asking questions about instances where the union stepped in to deal with company issues, about dues, meetings, benefits, being informed by union-heads, and about their overall experience with their respective union. Although I face problems such as good arguments on both sides, and the difficulties of researching a large national issue, I hope to be successful in showing that mandatory unionization is actually the better choice.

http://www.surveymonkey.com/s.aspx?sm=KfdmWt4UCJBGHxTtkhrF9g_3d_3d

Godin and Shirky Videos

In order to create change, one must go against the status quo. The videos by Godin and Shirky both revolve around the power of the internet to create change via connection and mass communication. It seems common sense to realize how the internet can bring people together. However, in the videos the speakers analyze the great extent to which the internet is revolutionizing the way we invoke change.

Shirky discusses the power of individuals making change. He believes that the revolutionary internet makes it possible for just one person to create a movement. In his speech, Shirky articulates the enormous benefits of social networking sites. Because of social networking sites, news can be reported by the public. According to Shirky, this form of public media behooves society because there is no editing of information by politicians or news stations. He uses the example of the mass communication of an earthquake in China as it was happening via facebook and twitter. Thanks to the internet, angry Government officials were unable to cover the quake or deny not-up-to-code buildings. Shirky also refers to Americans being able to publicly disagree with Obama without being quieted. Shirky explains how the internet gives everyone a megaphone, allowing them to share their ideas with anyone who stumbles across their tweets or url's.

Unlike Shirky, Godin focuses on people coming together on the web with common interests to create movements. Godin's speech is all about interest groups now having easier access to finding members to help start a movement. By forming these factions, Godin believes it will spark a domino effect to motivate other groups. This is how Godin says changes are made. Examples he gives are the Red Hat Society and mascots. These "tribes," as Godin puts it, can find each other on the internet. Tribes can talk in forums or make websites about their interests. Godin says the point is to go against the status quo. So while Godin argues it is necessary to form groups to incite a change, Shirky believes you only need the sharing of information between individuals to start a movement.

Desktop Screen

Just as every person my age, I am addicted to Facebook. It is almost always open when I am on my laptop. If you consider Facebook comments and notes as "digital composing," then I am always composing! However, I think this print screen shows a nice balance between school and socializing... (the justifying words of a Facebook addict!)When I took this print screen I also had the Ctools page, the main page for The Washington Post, as well as a word document for my POL 101 class open. Taking a screen shot allowed me a unique perspective into how I make use of technology. I mainly use my computer for communication and schoolwork. Not only am I able to communicate with others via Facebook, but I can also be informed of current events throught The Washington Post website and others like it.
So which is better- digital composing or doing it "the old fashioned" way?
I prefer digital composing because it allows me to have the internet open for quick references and sources when I need it for my homework. I can right click on a word when typing in Microsoft Word for its synonyms. I can refer to an article quickly while writing an essay. I can use search engines, spell check, and word count. For these reasons, as well as countless others, digital composing is vastly different. The only way to truly discover it's ease is to do it on your own and let technology dazzle you with it's extreme convenience.