John McDonnell Quotes

Unions do have a proper role in negotiating for employees and advising employees, but they have to engage with the employer.

I believe in workers' rights when people are doing a good job.

If there is to be peace in our industrial life let the employer recognize his obligation to his employees - at least to the degree set forth in existing statutes.

On completion of my military service, I went back to the factory and to the trade union.

Public employees should have the right to bargain for better wages and working conditions, just like all employees do.

Don't organize for any other purpose than mutual benefit to the employer and the employee.

All the evidence shows very clearly that if you are a member of a trade union you are likely to get better pay, more equal pay, better health and safety, more chance to get training, more chance to have conditions of work that help if you have caring responsibilities... the list goes on!

Workers should not be prevented from bargaining with the companies that help set their wages, benefits, schedules, and workplace conditions.

I've always had a very positive relationship with the municipal labor unions - a respectful relationship.

When I produce a movie - and I've produced a number of movies, unlike Arnold - yes, I'm frustrated when the union says you can't do this, you can't work past that hour, you've got to break for lunch. But ultimately, they're right. What they do is for everyone's benefit.

I even believe in helping an employer function more productively. For then, we will have a claim to higher wages, shorter hours, and greater participation in the benefits of running a smooth industrial machine.

If we can by any method establish a relation of mutual trust between the laborer and the employer, we shall lay the foundation stone of a structure that will endure for all time.

Labor also wants shorter hours and a say in how work shall be done.

Ordinary people who have lots of good ideas want more than a suggestion box, and they need a union to represent that thinking.

Unions inherently create an 'us versus them' dynamic that makes winning against a company's management the top goal, not serving customers, innovating, or in the case of education, teaching kids.

Labor should be recognized as entitled to consult with management in the mutual interest. Labor cannot be driven, and business cannot be successful unless the men employed in it are enthusiastic and loyal. That loyalty cannot be obtained with a big stick; it must be based upon fair dealing and sympathy.

If you don't have collective agreements between unions and employers, governments have to legislate more.

Many people do not realize that where unions have bargaining rights employers cannot raise wages or improve benefit plans any more than they can reduce them without of the consent of the union.

I would say that if you really wished to be a working member of the community, don't go out on strike because then there's no work and no potential of work.

Give me a highly successful unionized industry.

Unions may also legitimately resort to strikes where this is the only available means to the justice owed to workers

I am glad to see a system of labor ... under which laborers can strike when they want to.

If there is to be peace in our industrial life, let the employer recognize his obligation to his employees

The workers, before all else.

I've proven myself a champion of workers' rights, particularly teachers.