Bismarck Tribune - Bismarck News - Union files against MDU

Union files against MDU

TOM STROMME/Tribune Kent Courrier, a member of the Operating Engineers Union pickets outside the MDU Resources corporate campus on Century Avenue in Bismarck on Tuesday afternoon.

Aug 13, 2008 - 04:06:41 CDT

By WADE LARSON
Bismarck Tribune

Minnesota laborers filed Unfair Labor Practices against the subsidiary of a Bismarck-based company.

The International Union of Operating Engineers/Local 49 filed an Unfair Labor Practices charge against Knife River, a construction materials and mining subsidiary of Bismarck-based MDU Resources Group Inc.

Knife River is an aggregate producer in Sauk Rapids, Minn.

Local 49 business manager Glen Johnson said the 25 workers at the Minnesota plant approached Local 49 for representation in negotiating a contract in January. After nine months without success, Local 49 filed the charges, saying that Knife River was not negotiating fairly and in good faith.

It's a contention that Rick Matteson, director of communication and public affairs for MDU Resources disagrees with.

"We've tried to negotiate fairly and honestly and in good faith, and unfortunately both sides have been unable to come to an agreement," Matteson said.

MDU Resources submitted a last and final offer several weeks ago that the workers unanimously voted down.

Matteson said they could produce a counter offer, but Johnson said MDU representatives refused new negotiation.

Johnson said he believes the company is deliberately trying not to come to an agreement, because after a total of 12 months they are no longer legally obligated to negotiate the contract. That period will end in January 2009.

"The whole world operates on contracts, but when it comes to employees wanting a contract so they can know how much they'll get paid, then they'll fight it tooth and nail."

The charges cover five key allegations against Knife River:

n Knife River refused to reinstate a laid off worker because of his (and his brother's) union activity despite seniority on the callback list.

n Threatened to deny benefits to workers solely because of their union status.

n Reduced the method and hours paid for union members without negotiating.

n Changed employment terms and conditions for union members without negotiating.

n Limited hours worked for union members by creating production quotas without negotiating.

One of the key points of contention is that Knife River used a point system to determine which employees to call back for seasonal work when business picked up.

"This points system was used to determine who they're going recall, and they never used it before," Johnson said.

He said this system ignores seniority and has been used to discriminate against workers with strong pro-union ties, while Matteson said the system is designed to retain employees based on performance.

"We have used a system that recalls people based on their performance - and the union wants to return to a pure seniority basis."

Another key point of disagreement is pay, and Johnson said in the last offer, some employees would be taking pay cuts of up to $5.

Matteson said this is because Knife River has lost $8.4 million in the first six months of 2008.

With the charges filed, both sides will now wait for a decision from the National Labor Relations Board. Until then, both sides continue to see the other as the problem.

"I would like to see Knife River actually come to the bargaining table with the people that are actually responsible for making decisions, not the attorneys," Johnson said.

Matteson said filing of charges have only hurt the negotiations.

"We've been trying hard; we'd like to continue to try hard," he said.

"And today's actions sprung us by surprise."

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Comments

annon wrote on Nov 13, 2008 6:44 PM:

" To volunteer 11 There are plans for the shareholders meeting. I heard it may become a big media event!! Their lawyers should get busy and start cleaning up the messes not make more! "

volunteer11 wrote on Nov 9, 2008 7:23 PM:

" We are former long time, now ex-employees of Knife River, Sauk Rapids, MN. We want to help out with our fight against this company so we will be in touch with you soon. Also, you guys should bring that billboard out to Bismarck for the next shareholders meeting. "

BAAAAA wrote on Aug 30, 2008 8:16 PM:

" I am so happy, the picketers are back and MDU is just hating it I overheard a couple of them talking around the lunch hour, only mine is a 1/2 hour and of course they were there when I got there and were still there when I left. But anyways they are not happy with it and I heard something like the public image. I thought that was pretty sad, they were only worried about the public image, well if that's what hurts them then they should be upset that I cant stand them anymore after this stunt, WHO DO THEY THINK THEY ARE! "

SoSOrry wrote on Aug 24, 2008 11:12 AM:

" I sure hope they are coming back. I love that Billboard. I heard from my Boss that MDU had an Investment group there on tuesday and they had alot of questions concerning the picketting and MDU WAS NOT HAPPY! Personally I love it, I had a son who worked there and they do think they are the best employer around. I just don't get why these big corporations will not pay a little more, it would make the employees happy I bet. If you go to that web site stabbedintheback.net it tells you what that company did to it;s employees out in MN. I cant believe a big outfit like this one would do that what are they thinkling. "

Good Luck Employees wrote on Aug 21, 2008 8:29 PM:

" Good luck employees. MDU is rich and should share! I hope all union workers support a couple of bills in congress - one is HR980 and the other is SB2123. "

done both wrote on Aug 21, 2008 2:47 PM:

" "to JD" most of the "union boys" i work with, 56%, are "farm boys" & they are the loudest whiners. they have never had to answer to anybody when they screw up or just stand around & "visit" for hours on end. when someone calls them on it, they are the first one to run to their steward for harrassment. if you are payed to do a job & you don't do it right or at all, you should have to face the music. if we could get just half these guys to work, we wouldn't have to work 20+ hrs a week of overtime. of course, when you grow up with govt. bailouts (farm subsidies), you get a feeling of entitlement that you get paid no matter what you do or don't do. most 16yr olds can outwork this states "farm boys". the 16yr olds are the ones working when the farmers are camping in their tax deductible campers pulled by their tax deductible pickups filled with "farm fuel", at a lake with their "bigger than anyone elses boat" whining about it being to wet or to dry, waiting by the mailbox for their welfare (sorry) govt subsidy. "

proud member wrote on Aug 21, 2008 10:03 AM:

" I stood with the volenteers from Local 49 in Bismark the other day and was amazed at the overwhelming support from the public, its about time someone stands up for working families "

volunteer wrote on Aug 20, 2008 9:54 PM:

" To JDOG:

HELLO! Does the word VOLUNTEER ring a bell. All the workers are continuing to work. It is with the help of many other union volunteers who enjoy the benefit of
a contract that gives them vacation time and they choose to spend it helping others.
We also teach our children to work hard, fight for themselves AND HELP OTHERS. "

Chavez wrote on Aug 20, 2008 11:45 AM:

" It never ceases to amaze me that there are people out there--working people--who criticize the work of unions in seeking to secure better working conditions, better pay, good benefits, and so on for workers. Earlier in American history, unions and the average Joe fought against the exploitation of American workers and gained much on behalf of their members and indeed, all workers. Corporations then vilified such efforts as the work of anarchists while at the same time that Big Biz wanted to continue child labor, lack of health insurance, and paying grossly low wages. Corporations do the same today. The difference, however, is that many conservatives today actually want to strengthen corporate interests at the expense of the average worker. We need to again unite against this exploitation, unite against the near-absolute control corporations have over government (both parties, too), and demand that the wealth created by the workers for the corporations be rightly distributed to those who do the production. "

Union Supporter wrote on Aug 19, 2008 2:10 PM:

" Way to go union workers, we are supporting you 100%...I am hoping you get what you want in the negotiations...support unions and the democratic party... "

JDog wrote on Aug 19, 2008 11:09 AM:

" To Volunteer

If this is an informational picket and the union is not on strike, how can these guys find the time to picket if they are working as hard as you good ol union boys claim. Shouldn't they be getting back to doing the work they are under contract to do? I think they should discontinue the childish antics and get back to work. Then work out this deal as professionals, not with a temper tantrum on the street for all to see. Do you condone this type of behavior while at the mall with your child when then do not get what they want? Do you allow them to cry, kick and scream? I doubt it, so why do the unions do the opposite of what we teach our children? We teach them to work hard and fight for themselves. We do not ask them to act like 2 year olds whenever life throws them a lemon. "

Andy wrote on Aug 19, 2008 10:56 AM:

" Happy Democrat - you rail against "corporate greed", yet you personally feel the need to drive a Lexus SUV? Do you not see any irony there? Do as I say, not as I do... Did it ever occur to any of you corporate bashers that MDU provides thousands of good paying jobs to lots of good folks in this community? This isn't slavery. They also contribute thousands of charitable dollars to many organizations in our community. Furthermore, do you understand that the job of management is to provide the greatest possible return to its corporate shareholders? How evil!! "

volunteer wrote on Aug 18, 2008 11:14 PM:

" To Level Headed.

Thanks for the food and support. Your kindness and generosity helps us
in so many ways. We have e-mail support coming in from all over the US...we
are just starting to get caught up on the blogs. Thanks again and we will not
give up the fight. "

volunteer wrote on Aug 18, 2008 11:10 PM:

" To: Most of you don't get it.
We know who MDU Resources are, and by the way, maybe a remedial reading class is in your future. There are no striking workers. It is an informational picket only and you don't see pickets in front of MDU headquarters downtown do you? Enjoy your reading class!! I'm sure the 5th graders will love you. You are the only one that
doesn't get it. "

jillyjosam wrote on Aug 18, 2008 10:30 PM:

" Your radio ads say it all. I go to church with one of the guys who works there. That contract final offer was an insult to all workers. I loved the threatening letter written by a guy that has never been at the bargaining table, but has a fancy corporate title. Shame on you Knife River, your an embarrassment to this community. This is not a "Right to Work" for less State! "

JoJo wrote on Aug 18, 2008 10:08 PM:

" I heard their public relations guy on a talk show last week. Sounded like he was stumbling through a final offer letter that some other guy with a title wrote. The parts read on the air seemed clear to me. What was also clear to me was this guy couldn't answer a question with a straight answer. Keep on fighting guys, the committee is counting on you. Your billboard and radio ads are great! "

Happy Democrat wrote on Aug 18, 2008 10:04 PM:

" To you folks doing this informational picketing at MDU Resources, it's about time somebody takes on this giant. I am bringing water, pop and coffee by on Tuesday. I'm the guy in the Gray Lexus SUV that blew the horn the whole block. I am neither pro nor anti-union but I have followed almost all of MDU Resources takeovers in the aggregate industry and it appears to be almost the same where ever they go. Corporate greed is an understatement. I like your radio and news ads. I especially like that billboard! "

Free What wrote on Aug 18, 2008 9:46 PM:

" I heard it earlier in this blog about union member and being a free man? A union member is a puppet on a string. You are forced to go along with someone elses beliefs? I know union members that have taunted and harassed are individuals because they are non union, it almost sounds more like a cult. This is just an example of a bad union, but you sure don't hear much good. "

Azhrei wrote on Aug 18, 2008 11:26 AM:

" TO JD:

"done both" has said something that is true...maybe you are just afraid to listen, like the rest of ND. Unions fight for the individual worker....they provide a higher wage for the workers....Owners like unions, because they expect to get the best results for their dollar...that is why they sign contracts. The union workers know what is expected from them...the owners know what they are paying for...

Now, your statement "When it's time to go home on a job, union boys drop their tools and beat their feet off the job site, ASAP!" is totally wrong. When the bell rings at the end of class....you leave. When the whistle blows at the end of shift...you leave. Union workers work up to that bell and whistle and complete what they are doing...so that they CAN go back and spend time with their families, or hobbies or whatever they choose to do. It is their right to do that, because that is what they agreed to.

I chose to be a member of a union...I also chose to move out of ND because I could not live at the low wages that ND business owners want to pay....

The comment was made earlier in this blog about ND being a third world country within the borders of the US...and I cannot agree more. I cannot disagree either.

When a teacher earns $20K more a year by crossing the border from ND to MN. Maybe someone should take notice and take it up with legislature. Just like the unions are doing by striking against MDU/Knife river. "

JD wrote on Aug 17, 2008 11:11 PM:

" ''To Done Both'' Farmers are the biggest whiners? get real pal ! When it's time to go home on a job, union boys drop their tools and beat their feet off the job site, ASAP! Most, not all, farm boys will stay late and get it done without bitching about it. I have farmed and worked with union boys in Bismarck and farmers would work 80% of union boys into the dirt without whining. If you think ND is a 3rd world country get the hell out. This is America and you still have 49 other choices. Good riddance you whiner ! "

done both wrote on Aug 17, 2008 6:12 PM:

" i have done both union & non-union jobs, & believe me, non union workers are by far the laziest whiners i have worked with. these people think work is a social event where they get to visit with their friends. work is work & these people are not to be your social network. this is nd, we are supposed to be fair, hardworking people & mdu is not being fair, that's it. nothing more or nothing less. i left a 10+ yr job with benes (4 wks vac, 401k, ins, a management position) for a union job that offered no more or no less. it did, however, offer the chance to work with people who do their job with pride, quality, safety, & vision. it took alot of training but when you make the best product in the world, you should have to tow the line. sure there are bad apples, but throughout my job lifetime i've found that everywhere. i will say, north dakota has more workplace whiners than most states but that may be due to it's "farm economy" beginnings. farmers, i've found, do whine the loudest in this state. with union workers it's easy, you know what you are going to get during the contract, & when it's up, you sign a new one you think is fair. if not, you fight for a fair one. simple. north dakotans need to join the 21st century. this is why you are america's version of outsourcing, a 3rd world country right here in the united states border. "

level headed wrote on Aug 17, 2008 10:36 AM:

" Hey Jacki I think your late for work on top of that hill I'm talking about. But with all do respect when I refer to Corporate America I'm refering to the corporations who don't pay more than a Ma and Pa operation such as MDU and there right to work for less attitude. So Jacki I'm sorry, next time I will drive a little farther for you but GAS is sure not cheap these days, Hey does MDU have anything to do with GAS or OIL! The point is I dont see anyone outside of McDonalds picketing for a better way of life in [BISMARCK]. When I see people trying to get better benefits these days I take my hat off to them. "

Bono wrote on Aug 16, 2008 5:45 PM:

" To Level Headed:

Where do you LIVE? It's BismarCk. "

Jacki wrote on Aug 16, 2008 5:21 PM:

" to level headed; 'corporate america has had it's time'? Yet you brought the strikers food from McDonald's? Does anyone else see the irony here? "

level headed wrote on Aug 16, 2008 1:32 PM:

" to: most of you don't get it! WOW! Can you say Corporate kiss up,What the hek are you talking about, the signs that I saw said MDU/Knife River whats wrong with that is it not obvious they are picketing MDU Resources they are on the sidewalk outside of MDU Headquarters. Are you that blind, or wait maybe YEP I get it your sitting up in that office on top of the hill looking down on all of us hard working famlies of Bismark laughing it up well I have news for you I hope those Union people come back out here and I'm going to keep encouraging them to fight! oh ya and if any of you union guys read this I'm the guy who brought you the McDonalds. p.s. I am not a union guy but Corporate america has had it's time, now it's the middle classes chance to shine. "

Bono wrote on Aug 16, 2008 1:28 PM:

" Pet Lover - I sent a post a few days ago but the good old online editor deleted it. For whatever reason I don't know.

For your info - NO - I do not ever wish to work for Knife River, MDU or any other corporation. I work for myself and am not of a weak enough mind to have to rely on others to make my living. I am in control of my own fate - not praying to god each day that I'm not downsized or eliminated. And I make a darn good living at that. LOVE IT! You don't get it do you? "

REX wrote on Aug 16, 2008 9:08 AM:

" Typical liberal democrat Minnesotans. "

steve C. wrote on Aug 15, 2008 3:53 PM:

" to hmmmmm; First of all it was the vote of the membership to go on strike, not the vote of one person. Secondly what was the public "disgusted'" with. Since you may not work there, upon returning to the bargaining table an additional 2% contribution towards health insurance was offered by the employer and accepted by the membership at the second ratification meeting. And I left to persue a new career as I always had been looking for something else and yes it is a Union job. Exactly what mess was left behind and what part of this mess was mine? Please give your eyewitness details to this. I still have a great relationship with the Union committee that works there. I even offered answers to any questions that they may have had after I left. "

darnell lauf wrote on Aug 15, 2008 1:00 PM:

" For people that dont agree with unions better reconsider that their wages are wher there at because of unions. "

To All wrote on Aug 15, 2008 12:06 PM:

" To all not all unions are bad, they do work get in some organizations and different situations. Its just that some unions that (bad apple) set a bad example for others. You should not label all unions as bad. You have your bad apples every where you go. "

Boiler King wrote on Aug 14, 2008 8:48 PM:

" First of all, for any of you have worked for a non-union company, tell me how much they have participated in your pension and retirement? How much training have you had, school, and knowledge other than what you have picked up from other RAT employers. I was a non-union employee for 15 years and never received benefits, pension or retirement even close to what I receive now. Schooling is provided every six months to prove that you can provide the quality of work that is expected or demanded in our field. Most of you that are on here complaining only wish that you could receive the types of benefits that the union has to offer its employees. Unions have set the pay scale for the industry. UNITED WE BARGAIN, DIVIDED WE BEG. WHAT ARE YOU? "

kenny wrote on Aug 14, 2008 6:46 PM:

" Unions are a joke!!! If you do a shabby job at a nonunion job your fired which you should be. If your union and do a shabby job your job is still safe because you pay a thug to take care of your problems. The union was not designed to get what you think is owed to you it was designed to protect the working man. What I see and hear about unions is nothing but bullying and scare tactics. If the average joe would drive around his/her work site with a bilboard saying how their boss stabbed them in the back he would not only be fired he would be arrested. It is the unions fault for coming into North Dakota (a right to work state) from Minn. (hire wihtin state first) and expect to get paid the same as in Minn. Don't whine just because your getting 26 bucks an hour instead of 30 your still better off than most. "

No More wrote on Aug 14, 2008 3:27 PM:

" To steve C.

You need to slow down and process what you are reading before you reply. In no way did I say anything about someone being removed, fired, reassigned or forced from their position because someone else is just faster at their job. My previous comments were all clearly regarding a worker that can no longer meet the job requirements for their position.

What I also previously said was the person who is the most qualified gets hired, the person who does the best job gets a raise, and the person who is capable of more and is qualified gets promoted, how can you possibly argue with that? The jobs, higher pay and promotions go to the people that deserve them rather than the person who has been there the longest and has the most seniority. Please any of you pro union folks, make an argument against this position because I would love to hear it. And by the way steve C. thanks for the bean counting reference, you couldnt be any farther from the truth. "

Pet Lover wrote on Aug 14, 2008 11:05 AM:

" To Bono: Yes, Knife River is huge. Knife River also has 14,000+ employees around the country and 99.9% of them are happy to be working for Knife River. These 14,000 people are able to live a good life because they work for a corporation like Knife River. Bet you wish you did! "

Bono wrote on Aug 14, 2008 9:46 AM:

" Knife River/MDU needs to be brought down a peg or 2. They are huge. We traveled through several states this summer and they are ALL OVER. Working on every road project - many states.

They are a monopoly and the prices will keep going up - BECAUSE THEY CAN. Wake up people.

It's all about money. That's why Atlas and Pioneer sold out to them. "

hmmmmm wrote on Aug 14, 2008 9:15 AM:

" seems to me I recall a Steve "C" who led bobcat into a strike for two weeks, and caused the employeees to lose 2 weeks of pay, have the public disgusted and then returned to work w/o gaining anything . and after the strike, Steve "C" left Bobcat and left his fellow unioners to clean up his mess. Yes there is a place for unions, but the bad ones are giving them all bad raps. The decent union workers should stand up for their reputations and not put up w/ the losers. Work hard for what you get and then fight for it. Do not fight for the ones who just sit back and take what they think they are "owed". "

Free-man wrote on Aug 14, 2008 7:47 AM:

" All you people who are putting down the unions are showing me that you don't have any idea what the unions do.
You are the Union, the people that work beside you are the Union. You vote for your Union president and he does what your wishes are, to strike, to ask for a raise, to settle work related
issues, and to stop the snakes that promote themselves by butt kissing their superiors.
Most of a companies executives and upper management sign a working contract,, Why not the little guy? Why not us?? "

Angry American wrote on Aug 13, 2008 11:48 PM:

" I doubt that the 4% dues I pay in return allows a contractor to pay 50-100% more in wages/benefits than non-union help. Maybe if you put it in an interest bearing account the numbers work.lol Perhaps it's because union workers are more skilled, trained and experienced than non-union help and work more productively. Or maybe it's because a non-union contractor is making more off you in a 8 hr day than you are making. "

Frosty wrote on Aug 13, 2008 10:24 PM:

" How many of you would give up a 5.00 and hour cut in pay. Not any one of you, union or not. I am a knife river employe and i hope the workers win. Unless you have been in the union or in a contract neg, you have no right to be agints these workers. Fair is fair, Cost of living goes up and wages go down, what the heck. It s not like anyone is living pay check to pay check, Except a major portion of the population of blue color workers who keep the white color in there counrty clubs playing golf , and writing it off as a business expence. These guys need to eat and live to. "

To Angry Amercian wrote on Aug 13, 2008 8:27 PM:

" One reason that unions can bid jobs against non-unionn companies and win, There is money available for union contractors on bid jobs against non-union contractors, it comes from your dues...l.o.l.
signed: ex-union journeyman "

steve C. wrote on Aug 13, 2008 7:14 PM:

" to NO more: your argument is still weak at best. What if the older person has no desire to change positions with his employer. Are you saying that the employer should give him an ultimatum of taking a different position even if the quality of his work is far superior than that of the younger worker, or you are fired. That would be absolute nonsense. Think about the fact that he is giving someone else the opportunity to better their jobs. You are obviously in a bean counting position since your take is quite geared towards quantity. How many products do you buy that say made in China, only to last about as long as it takes to get the product out of the box.
To Cory: maybe you should take a course in Union 101. If you are working all the hours that you claim, I would assume that you are getting some overtime pay. You can thank the Unions for fighting for that benefit. Gone are the 16 and 18 hour factory days of the past as the Unions and their members effectively made that happen through collective bargaining and legislative changes. Could that be the reason that you don't whine. Next time, thank the Union for the overtime pay, unless you are letting your employer violate the law by not paying you accordingly.
ps. I also am not your buddy "

To Prices wrote on Aug 13, 2008 6:10 PM:

" I'm not sure what you do for a living, I have no idea what your contribution is to society. I would like to know who you blame for the costs of the Gasoline you are pumping into your tank . . . or do you just walk or ride a bike? Energy Prices are on the risse world-wide. MDU is regulated and you can find all of the State regulated reate on their website. The expected increase in Natural Gas prices does NOT, I repeat does NOT, go to the profits of MDU. It is a pass through price that goes to the producers at the well-head. While you can't reasonably blame you local mom & pop gas station for the elevated price of $4.00 Gasoline you can't reasonably blame MDU for the elevated price in Natural Gas. "Rebut these facts" and it will just show your ignorance and inability to intelligently talk about this topic. "

Most of you DONT get it wrote on Aug 13, 2008 5:58 PM:

" First of all I would like to make a comment that the strikers & union personnel don't even know who they work for!!! Listen up people: MDU Resources and Montana-Dakota Utilities (MDU) are associated, but are entirely NOT the same. MDU Resources is a parent company to several subsidieries such as Knife River, MDU, WBI, USI, etc. So to the 25 Knife River employees on strike: You're signs and complaints are wrong and slandering to (MDU)Montana-Dakota Utilities. Knife River is a subsidiery company of MDU Resources. Montana-Dakota Utilities has absolutely NOTHING to do with Knife River and your complaints. "Your stupidity shines on those signs."Please change your signs and messages to reflect accordingly (Knife River / MDU Resources). To PRICES and TED: Montana-Dakota Utilities Co. Is a regulated utlity. Montana-Dakota Utilities contributes from 10 to 18% of the MDU Resources record earnings. Try to get that through your heads: when MDU Resources reports record earnings, your utilities are only a small portion of those earnings. Plus to those of you who are so in tuned to MDU Resources earning's, I would trust you are smart enough to have a decent % of MDU Resources stock included in your portfolio. To you Knife River Strikers, Montana-Dakota Utilities has a large , very mature and very satisfied group of union employees, that being the IBEW. I don't know or care what your complaints are with Knife River, but you have about as much complaint with MDU as you do with Nike, Walmart or Tesoro. Get your facts in order!!!!! "

CEO Pay wrote on Aug 13, 2008 4:01 PM:

" From MDU Proxy Statement.

Terry D. Hildestad
Mr. Hildestad was promoted to chief executive officer in August 2006. At that time the
compensation committee assigned Mr. Hildestad to salary grade K, our highest salary grade, and
increased Mr. Hildestads base salary from $525,000 to $625,000. While the K salary grade midpoint
was $750,000 in 2006, the compensation committee believed that setting Mr. Hildestads salary at the
midpoint would have been premature given his new promotion to the position. In addition, the
committee also decided that it would not give Mr. Hildestad a salary increase in January 2007 and
took this into consideration when increasing his salary to $625,000. "

Bob wrote on Aug 13, 2008 3:45 PM:

" Some have said that unions are no longer needed. I respectfully disagree. Do you honestly think that huge corporations like MDU would be making sure their workers in their gravel pits earned a decent living wage with health coverage and retirement benefits if there was no union (or unionization possibility)?

Look at the MDU holdings in the aggregate industry and tell me you don't believe that the more "market share" they have the more they can "dictate" what to pay their workers out in the field. Without the protection of a union, coupled with a lock on the aggregate business, MDU could and probably would drive wages down dramatically. As some of you anti-union folks suggest that workers just "grin and bear it" that mind-set would play right into the MDU bean-counters hands.

More and more we see jobs that used to pay a decent wage now being paid "minimum wage". Why? Because people need to work to eat and there are more people looking for work than there are jobs. So, big employers like MDU and Knife River want to, and get to, call the shots and the worker can either "grin and bear it" with MDU, grin and bear it with another anti-union employer, or band together as a union and bargain for fair treatment.

Without the existence of unions (and the threat of unionization) all workers, both pro and anti union, would find themselves at the mercy of corporations like MDU.

I am not a member of any union but I tell you, unions ARE STILL NEEDED. Perhaps in these times more than ever. "

JP wrote on Aug 13, 2008 3:35 PM:

" To No More- You are correct in saying there are laws to prevent age discrimination and things of that sort... that is where unions are most effective. They make sure that employers follow the laws that are already on the books. Is a 60 year old going to drain his retirement savings on legal fees to make sure his employer follows the laws? NO!! But he can have the union legal help come in and offer a lending hand. On the other hand... there are plenty of sub-par workers who hide behind the union... and the worst part is you see there own union brothers and sisters stick up for them... the bad apples are the ones that make the entire union look bad. The point is: Unions have a place and can still be a benefit to both employer and employee... but both sides have to be reasonable and act in good faith. "

Dew wrote on Aug 13, 2008 3:01 PM:

" I am not a big fan of MDU Resouces or Knife River, believe me, I think they have a monopoly on everything around here anymore but, I certainly don't think the Union is doing any good for the little guy anymore! I agree with No More and Grumpy Old Republican on the Unions in general. And to Angry American, who says the rest of us do not know anything.... We are not brainwashed by the Union 'top dogs' that get a lot of pay for doing nothing but sit on their butts and think up ways for the 'little guy'.... like you, to pay him big fat wages! We all know people in the Unions, we know what is going on! "

Cory wrote on Aug 13, 2008 2:39 PM:

" To Steve C: I have and continue to work days a lot longer than 10 or 12 hours, I have been in the construction business for over 10 years, and I don't whine about. If I didn't want to do the job anymore, I would quit, not try and find a way to get over on others so I could make more and do less. Welcome to America, the land of the free buddy. Nobody has a gun to my head to make me work the hours that I do, I enjoy the work, and also the paychecks that come with it. That sense of entitlement that the unions espouse is what has destroyed the manufacturing segment of the U.S. economy. "

No More wrote on Aug 13, 2008 2:21 PM:

" To steve C.

I'm not suggesting anyone be "put out to pasture" as you say. Obviously someone who is 60 years old with 40 years of experience should have a lot to offer an employer, but if they are no longer able to perform their job perhaps they can use their skills in a different manner such as supervisory, training, etc. Im not suggesting they be replaced by a 20 year old worker simply because they are old. However, Im also not in favor of promoting and or hiring individuals simply because they have been there the longest.

Also note, this country has laws that prohibit any older employee from being fired simply because of their age as you have suggested. We dont need and never will need any unions to protect workers when we now have laws in place that already do so.

So here is a question back to you, if a 60 year old worker with 40 years of experience can no longer meet their job requirements after reasonable accommodations have been made by their employer would you keep that individual in that job and hire someone else to pick up his slack or would you try to offer other opportunities to that individual and replace him with someone that can meet the job requirements? The union way would be to hire an additional employee and have two people doing the job of one. The non union way would be look for opportunities for that experienced employee in areas where they can meet the job requirements and possible help others become better at their job through their 40 years of experience while replacing him with someone that can meet all of the job requirements of the other job. "

Angry American wrote on Aug 13, 2008 2:01 PM:

" Well said Steve C. These anti-union bloggers are close-minded, uninformed and brainwashed, especially if they are in the working class. What do any of you even know about unions? Have any of you "genius's" ever been a union member? Why is it a Union contractor can competitively bid jobs against non union contractors, even thought the union contractor is paying a FAR better wage and benefits, following all safety procedures, and treating their employees fairly. I've been on both sides of this fence so I for one am not fooled by your anti-union propaganda. Keep working for a subpar wage and making your employer FILTHY RICH, I'll keep working union. With comments like yours it's no wonder ND is one of the lowest paying states in the nation, "

steve C. wrote on Aug 13, 2008 12:57 PM:

" To Grumpy, why not check what the CEO for MDU makes and say that he is worth every penny.
to kinny, you don't have to go to work and "grin and bear it" you can organize and get your fair share of the pie.
To Average: are you saying that the mismanagement of the steel mills had nothing to do with their demise? And how about the automakers mismanagement of their own. they haven't kept up with what the buyers wanted.
To No More: So when a 60 year old employee with 40 years of service is no longer as productive as the twenty year old because of his age, we should automatically put him out to pasture? I don't think so.
To Cory: try working 50 or 60, 10 or 12 hour days in a row once, it happens on a lot of Union jobs
to IwantBunion: Where are these Unions standing around protesting, for I would like to pat them on the back for trying to improve their lives "

IwantBunion wrote on Aug 13, 2008 12:09 PM:

" Boy...these UNION people sure have a lot of time on their hands...I'm thinkn' I'd like to be Unionized so I can stand around all day protesting everyone and everything...but I guess that is what the Union is all about these days. "

PO wrote on Aug 13, 2008 11:36 AM:

" Big business likes to say its a capitalist soceity, except when workers ask for a raise. Then they either run to the govt and politicians in Washington, give them millions in lobbying money to vote in favor of what they want. If this doesn't work for big business and it usually does, then they want to hire illegal aliens to work for them at reduced wages and benefits and this is what Republicans and Democrats in Washington like to say to working class, this is capitalism. Yea sure. "

What about before wrote on Aug 13, 2008 11:15 AM:

" Did MDU not understand that there were Union employees working for Knife River when they bought them out? If they didn't like that, they should have stuck to their business (utilities) instead of instilling corporate greed. The employees of Knife River were probably happy before MDU took over...one way to know this is to ask whether or not these folks have gone on strike in the past for any of these reasons. Utilities....an important business. Maintaining focus on the business may keep MDU out of these predicaments. "

Cory wrote on Aug 13, 2008 11:01 AM:

" These union activists are a bunch of lazy, overpaid and underworked people, who seem to feel entitled to a bigger piece of the pie without having to work for it. If you are so unhappy with your job, then quit! One other idea would be, maybe work a little harder, and see what happens. "

No More wrote on Aug 13, 2008 10:47 AM:

" Unions have become an extremely inefficient form of labor management. What was once meant to protect groups of individual workers from being taken advantage of and exploited has now become a platform for the unions to whine and grandstand when they dont get every single thing they want in an attempt to show the workers how badly they need the unions. We have enough laws in place now to protect the average American workers from being exploited; the time for labor unions has come and gone.

The whole concept of Seniority Rules is a joke. Just because someone has work at the job longer doesnt mean he is the best at his job, it doesnt mean he deserves to be paid more or treated with preferential treatment when hiring/promoting. Heres a novel concept, the person who is the most qualified gets hired, the person who does the best job gets a raise, and the person who is capable of more and is qualified gets promoted.

I hate to think how much money companies waste every year in negotiations with the labor unions. It would be more cost effective for these companies and their customers if the unions were no longer around. "

UNION wrote on Aug 13, 2008 10:36 AM:

" GO UNION!!!!!!! GO DEMOCRATS!!!!!!!!!!!! "

Average Joe wrote on Aug 13, 2008 10:14 AM:

" Isn't it funny that the Union is only interested in protecting employees by seniority, and not those who work hard and are the most productive.

The Union and Democratic party is based on entitlements. They have both taken away the incentive and will to work. They loose site of the fact that a successful company will lead to successful employees. Very little of the union dues paid by employees are actually for the benifit of the employee. Most of the dues go to the the union thugs and the democratic party.

The Unions have driven the steel mills out of Pittsburg, and they are driving the Automakers out of Detroit, and all this while the union leadership gets rich and the union employers loose their jobs.

Be careful about what you wish for when you support the unions and the democrats. "

kinny wrote on Aug 13, 2008 9:51 AM:

" If things are so bad find a different job. The union is a joke. I understand that it is in place to protect workers, but anymore this is ridiculous. What about the rest of the people in this country who are not union who go to work and grin and bear it. Talk about driving up prices, look at our unionized automakers and where they are now. "

Prices wrote on Aug 13, 2008 9:39 AM:

" I agree MDU has increased there balance billing in order to compensate for there soaring prices this winter! Hopefully the union will suck some money out of this giant. I am not for union but if somebody can get something out of MDU go for it they desrve to get buried for the prices they charge... I am sure somebody on here will post something about how highly they are regulated and can't charge a certain blah blah blah..... "

Ted wrote on Aug 13, 2008 8:11 AM:

" MDU wastes a lot of money on wining and dining people even for their own. Watch your MDU prices soar. "

Grumpy Old Republican wrote on Aug 13, 2008 7:48 AM:

" I hope Knife River is 100% successful in all matters. Unions once served a legitimate purpose when Big Business was truly sticking it to the common worker. Any more, their sole purposes are to guarantee inflated wages and obscene benefits for whiny workers and to funnel dirty money to the Democrat party. BUST 'EM ALL. "

junkeR wrote on Aug 13, 2008 7:28 AM:

" I can't believe 40 yr+ adults whine like this if they don't get everything they want. It's just unbelievable... "

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