YOUR COMMENTS

Unions are a group of workers coming together to NEGOTIATE their terms of employment. Their terms of employment are generally better if they negotiate as a group instead of as individuals. Just like small businesses negotiating as a group for more affordable health plans, or less expensive supplies. So, how is that not consistent with the FREE MARKET? "Let the people decide!" If people were actually FREE to do so w/o intimidation from employers, they'd bargain as a union every time.
- Jason Faria, Kingston

Unions are no good. Support the worker, not the union!
- David, Manchester

Does the big "O" have more power than the unions? or has the AFL-CIO lost it's power..If Obama has always been for unions and fair wages, how come the union did not picket the Verizon??Is the Oprah show unionized??We are watching re-runs because of the writers picket lines..Whats good for one is good for another.
- dick johnson, warren

To those who don't support unions, it's your choice. You have your right to your opinion. I myself prefer union jobs over non-union. One reason is that I have worked all my life in retail and not once were they union and many of us needed a decent pay to raise a family. In the late 80-90's I made only $3.85 per hour, try living on that. Currently today we have places like Stop N Shop that are union and being a union based company, the workers are getting a better pay than the retail store down the plaza which I work for...And I haven't seen a raise in over a year in that place. So yes I think we need more unions so that people can recieve a better pay, better benifits to help support them and their families until they can choose to become self employed. Companies who are non-union are making a killer profit for their own CEO pockets and it's the workers who suffer. I'm one of the lucky ones who got a ticket to go and will be glad to see Senator Obama again, my first time was helping as a volunteer in his rally at Veterans Park here in Manchester. I'm also glad Senator Obama isn't following the likes of Mr. Buckley, being open and honest and working against the grain so to speak is a sign of a true leader. A leader we need to turn America around. One last note, Thank you Mrs. Winfrey for supporting someone who believes in the American people, people who work every day, paycheck to paycheck, not for fame or fortune do they strive. They are the ones keeping America going.
- Robert M Tarr, Manchester

Blah, Blah, Blah Unions complaining that they don't have control of our Verizon Center? Thank goodness they don't! Unions have outlived their usefulness. There are too many good companies being driven out of business by their unions and the demands. Unfortunately this will probably be posted, cause isn't the Union Leader a Union shop?
- Mike, Manchester, NH

Anti Union sentiment does not help Obama, and the incredible piggishness of using Talkshow Queen Oprah in a non union arena to interfere in a primary is definitely not a good thing.

Making an entertainment/sporting event during a crucial primary in a most serious and eventful election is in really miserable taste and reeks of desperation and ruthlessness.
- norris morris, new york, new york

I love the part about trying to gain a foothold at the arena. It makes the union sound like a parasite. Too bad it's the truth.
- Ken, Manchester

Senator Obama has stood with unions all his life. All the goods he sells in the Obama store (hats, blankets, sweatshirts, etc. are made in the USA by union workers.) He has marched on picket lines with union workers. Deval Patrick when he scheduled his first big event in MA encountered the same problem. No one on his staff bothered to check whether the place was union. I am sure Barack's predicament is the same. I feel confident in supporting him as a union member for the past 36 years.
- anita preer, Boston, MA

Listen up NH citizens; Hear the wake-up call. SMG undercuts American workers salaries nation wide. SMG does not offer healthcare plan to part-time workers. SMG has unsafe work practices, hires unskilled and undocumented workers.

The IASTE Local 195 stands for workers rights; Safe work environment and skilled Stagehand professionals working for an American Wage!!!

NH citizens need to recognize the need for a decent American salary, safety first and true Union entertainment professionals.
- Paul, Wellesley, MA

Fewer and fewer of us have unions any longer, and at the same time, fewer and fewer of us have good, affordable healthcare or pensions.

I don't know why people don't see the connection.

That said, I don't see what anyone can do when the biggest indoor venue in the state is non-Union. You shouldn't force people to have to settle for 25% smaller venues.
- bob, manchester

Unions outlived their usefulness many years ago. Today they only exist for people that can't make a living on their own initiative.
- Bill, Tuftonboro

It seems to me that there have been many events at the Verizon Wireless Arena since it's opening, apparently staged by non union stage hands. So what's the issue? Is it the necessity for union members to properly set the stage for Mr. Obama's appearance or is it the union trying to gain a foothold through political maneuvering? Hmmm....
The unions seem to have no problem with a closed shop where non union employees are not allowed to work, but have a real issue when their non union counterparts submit them to the same restrictions.
- David, Colebrook

what ever happened to being able to make our own choices?
- Wayne Bickford, Manchester

It's unfortunate that people still do not understand the advantage of union representation. If it was not for unions most of the safety laws and regulations today would not be in place. It is the work of unions the bring to light the sweat shops overseas. It is not the union members who drive up costs, but it is the company CEO's making 10's of millions of dollars. One only needs to look back at NH's own Tyco executive Dennis Kozlowski!
- Pete, Manchester

It's unfortunate that people still do not understand the advantage of union representation. If it was not for unions most of the safety laws and regulations today would not be in place. It is the work of unions the bring to light the sweat shops overseas. It is not the union members who drive up costs, but it is the company CEO's making 10's of millions of dollars. One only needs to look back at NH's own Tyco executive Dennis Kozlowski!
- Pete, Manchester

As a member of the crews at Verizon involving set up, show runs, and strikes, I see no reason why there even has to be union labor there. We are just as qualified to work there as IATSE is. I do caution this by saying I have had opportunites to head union crews through various work and by no means are they bad guys. I also have been asked to join IATSE. All I am saying is that Union help is nice but totally not a need but a want.
- Patrick, Londonderry

I agree with Vange. 80 years ago there was a great need for unions in this country to do away with child labor and 12 hour days 7 days a week. Well, now we have many laws on the books to protect to workers in this country.
If our elected officals in this country spent more time enforcing the laws and less time with their hand out to the special intrest groups (unions), they would be more effective then they are now in living up to their oath to support and protect the constitution of the U.S.
- TOM, henniker

Vange, I agree with you.

If you, as an employee are worth the money, then you'll be employed. If you're not worth it, it's not the company's fault. A FREE market works both ways. If you don't like the free market society, vote Democrat and soon enough the EU might consider allowing us to join into their currency and health plan.
- Eric T, Manchester, NH

Incredible naivety out of these posters! You don't understand a union? You don't understand making work places safe? You don't understand protecting yourself from greedy industrialists? You don't understand collective bargaining? You don't understand standing up for your family and your rights? No you don't! You worship these companies because you think they will toss you a crumb if you do, and guess what they move your job to China anyway. Businesses laugh at your nonunion stance all the way to the bank. This country has moved downhill for the working man since Reagan fired the air traffic controllers, what a pity how little you know. If workers vote in a union they god bless them for it!
- Roger DeMarche, Manchester

"Unions are driving companies to bankruptcies with their constant demands of higher wages and free health care". So what you are saying Vange is that we should settle for low wages and bad health care plans? Many people do not understand what organized labor is all about. Unions have not out used their usefullness and are needed now. Case in point....China and toys.
- Lisa, Manchester

Isn't there an arena at Dartmouth or UNH where the Obama event could be held?

No wonder unions are losing ground. Clearly the New Hampshire AFL-CIO president is making an exception for Obama here.
- Bob Hughes, Thetford, VT

Why does a union member deserve a job
over a non union worker? Increased labor costs are passed on to the consumer, it will never come out of a profit margin and why should it? Unions
are good if you want to see more work leave this country, like it has been. How much do you think a pair of Nike sneakers would cost if they were Union made in America? How long would Nike be in buisness? How many jobs can a company provide with the doors locked?
Is that when you just go on funenjoyment?
- Tyler, Farmington

Enough with the whining unions. You don't need a union to set up a stage. This is a free country. Unions are driving companies to bankruptcies with their constant demands of higher wages and free health care. Unions have out used their usefullness. Let the people decide!!
- Vange, Manchester