#collectivebargaining

Who is interested?

Collective bargaining is the only way to stop the autocratic march of America and business. It fixed the great depression, it will be the only way to fix the coming depression. They think AI will replace all of tech, but it's not ready.

All the naysayers have no clue just how much manual work goes into maintaining the illusion of this bank never going offline. If tech even took one single day off, the bank would suffer a huge financial impact. I work with one of the tech prod support groups, and you would not believe the amount of emails about things breaking. It's non-stop.

If IT wants to push back, form a union. Yes, the people who've been here forever (yours truly, over a quarter-century) would probably make out like bandits. So what? 5–7 years of being compensated what I'm actually worth, and I'll sail off into the sunset, never to work again, opening that job to the next person who has been paying their dues with personal time, for decades.

Management only has control if you let them have control, and you all - for some reason or another - are willing to let them run roughshod over you. So what if the economy is garbage? Anyone who works a real IT job here knows it takes a minimum, bare minimum, of 2–6 months to get someone onboarded and trained up. Even then, you start them out with smaller, more forgiving work, because it's a depth of knowledge job, not a breadth of experience job.

Just think back to how they thought they didn't need QA, laid all the QA groups off, then 6 months later, everyone you knew who worked in QA was back in the GAL.

Collective bargaining works, history proves it.

I know its been said here many times and I know people do not have enough gumption or unity to do it but the only thing and I mean the only things that brings these useless ba----ds to their knees is a union. It is what they were designed to do. I hate them but I think the time is coming again for them to start gaining traction. The workforce today does not have any say or a fair shot at decent treatment by their employer. I hate it when people on here say go find another job. For most that is not an option because the system has become so rigged and it's all the same scam regardless. Age discrimination, AI screening job applications, DEI, and just all the other barriers they have put up. All the Execs work together in step...the worker just hasn't gotten smart enough to do it in places like SF, AT&T, Chase, etc... Amazon workers are trying and so are Starbucks but face hurdles with the big shots trying to subvert them at every turn. I think if only a handful of people would genuinely approach it with co-workers most would get on board. I know just wishful thinking. It would bring an end to their reign of te---r on the American worker.

Merck Millipore technicians start industrial action after pay cut claims
Merck Millipore
News
/ 19th August 2025 /
George Morahan
Technicians at the Merck Millipore plants in Co Cork have commenced industrial action after the company implemented changes to pay and conditions.

The Connect trade union said some of its members employed at the life sciences equipment supplier's Carrigtwohill and Blarney plants were subject to pay cuts of up to 20 per cent.

Advertisment

Merck Millipore has denied there has been any "unilateral changes" to terms and conditions including salary as claimed by Connect.

"Our members were left with no alternative other than commencing industrial action after the company unilaterally changed terms and conditions. This included the cutting of 20 per cent in pay from maintenance technicians at the Blarney site," said Mark Dobyn, regional secretary for Connect.

“We have reached out to local management a number of times to engage on the changes being sought. However, the company has completely refused to engage with our Union and unilaterally changed our members' employment conditions without any proper consultation. This is a completely unacceptable situation.”

Business Bulletin

Dobyn said that staff taking industrial action would not cooperate with the company on a number of fronts and would not attend meetings with management.

“Both our Union and SIPTU have sought to use the industrial relations machinery of the state to resolve these workers' difficulties with their employer. This included a successful Labour Court case which resulted in a recommendation that the company should engage with our Unions as our members have demanded," said Paddy Kavanagh, general secretary at Connect.

“This situation once again illustrates the issues with workers’ right to union organisation and representation in Ireland.

Advertisment

"Our members will now seek to achieve the respect they deserve from their employer through the intelligent use of industrial action.

"If this does not achieve the necessary results, we will back our members in whatever escalation they decide upon.”

More: Trending

An Post to continue delivering parcels to US despite new taxes

Catering firm quits golf club over ‘disrespect’ from ‘entitled’ members

Entrepreneur forced to step down from her underwear firm wins €85,000 compensation
In a statement, Merck confirmed that it was served with notice of industrial action by Connect on Friday, August 1, and that action had commenced on Monday Monday (August 18).

Merck Millipore
Technicians at Merck Millipore have commenced industrial action.
"Merck operates a long-standing policy of direct engagement with its employees and remains committed to continuing this dialogue.

"The company’s focus is on constructive internal engagements with colleagues to reach a fair resolution of any workplace concerns."

Just Heard there will be buyouts in 2026 for UAW members. Not sure about all details, but the request will be sent out to see who’s interested.

UPS is wrong in negotiating buyouts without the Teamsters. Why they would even try this is shocking. The timing could not be worse with tariff and stock questions.

Unionizing is about empowering workers to have a stronger voice in their workplace. At Chevron, as skilled engineers, we drive the success of the company, yet many of us feel that decisions about pay, benefits, safety, and working conditions are made without our input. Unionizing allows us to negotiate as a collective, ensuring fair wages, better healthcare, improved safety standards, and job security. It’s not about being against Chevron but about ensuring that we, the workforce, have a seat at the table to advocate for our rights and well-being. A union is the most effective way to ensure that the value we bring to the company is recognized and respected, while also fostering a workplace where everyone can thrive without fear of retaliation. Together, we can build a stronger, fairer future for all employees.