Hollywood's Writers' Strike

[BarTopDancer]

Originally Posted by NirvanaMan

I challenge anyone to find anything that is perfect in life outside of the following:

• Boiled Maine lobster fresh off the boat eaten at a picnic table out of a paper basket with lemon and melted butter

Change that to boiled Nova Scotia lobster and your list will be golden.

Crap. Now I want lobster!

[JWBear]

Originally Posted by Ghoulish Delight

Umm, huh? Those two statements are kinda contradictory, aren't they? By saying, "Let the market sort it out" you are precisely suggesting that people should be treated as commodities.

Unfortunately, the employees of many big corporations can only wish they were treated as well as commodities.

[Strangler Lewis]

Boobies?

The word, sir, is "tits."

I agree with the part about the lemon and melted butter.

And the picnic.

[Eliza Hodgkins 1812]

Originally Posted by Strangler Lewis

The word, sir, is "tits."

I prefer "dirty pillows" or "happy bags."

[Ghoulish Delight]

Originally Posted by NirvanaMan

No, I'm not at all. I can't even see the correlation. My opinion is quite the opposite in fact.

Unless you are suggesting that the only items traded or dealt with in a free market are commodity goods.

Perhaps not "commodity" in the strict sense of no quality differentiation, however I dislike the concept of treating people's livelihoods as so much merchandise to be bought and sold at the whim of supply and demand. Sure, an employee may hold a modicum of power in the deal with the ability to walk away for a better deal, however that's not a luxury that everyone can afford and, as I mentioned earlier, industry is becoming more and more consolidated, whittling away options and imbalancing power towards those making the salary decisions. Unionization provides a check against that trend.

[Morrigoon]

Unionization doesn't help independent contractors much, which is what many companies are turning to in order to release themselves from any obligation to care for their workers.

[Sohrshah]

Originally Posted by Morrigoon

Unionization doesn't help independent contractors much, which is what many companies are turning to in order to release themselves from any obligation to care for their workers.

And in turn, contractors and employees alike lack loyalty. I think turnover rates would be sky high if recommendations were not still such a big part of the hiring process - always the hardest part for me!

[Kevy Baby]

Originally Posted by Strangler Lewis

Boobies?

The word, sir, is "tits."

Not around these parts. The word is "Boobies"

Originally Posted by Eliza Hodgkins 1812

I prefer "dirty pillows" or "happy bags."

Hooters
Gazambas
Sweater Puppies

[NirvanaMan]

Originally Posted by Ghoulish Delight

however I dislike the concept of treating people's livelihoods as so much merchandise to be bought and sold at the whim of supply and demand.

Ah well then this is a point upon which we can most assuredly disagree good sir. I believe in personal responsibility in all things, including the control of ones livelihood. I don't believe it is up to the collective, society, government or unions to protect me or anyone in such things. It is up to the individual to ensure their skills and talents with which they chose to pursue a career are kept fresh and relevant enough to have value to an employer who will compensate them at a level commensurate with the expectations of said individuals lifestyle of choosing.

It's not so much a matter of treating people in such a way as it is in people bettering themselves in the pursuit of happiness be it inner fulfillment or material goods or experiences. Instead of waiting for someone to give you what you feel it is you need or deserve, it is the individuals responsibility to earn it and take it. If that is not an option with your current employer than one should seek alternative options.

Back to the commodity point briefly. I would argue that above most other forces in the employment world, it is unions that commodities individuals. Therefore, the beef should perhaps be with them. The unions don't negotiate on an individuals behalf (though they can defend one in certain proceedings) but rather negotiate and arbitrate for the masses. They roll everyone up to their job title be it writer, Welder I, Chassis Sub-Assembler or what have you. It is precisely this commoditization that in the case of unskilled labor removes the incentive to excel. I don't believe this is necessarily the same case with skilled talent, but the argument could still be made I am quite sure.

[Eliza Hodgkins 1812]

Originally Posted by Kevy Baby

Sweater Puppies

That is my new favorite! I believe I'm making a very valuable contribution to this thread. My intellectual prowess is astounding!