COGOP members not allowed to join unions?

[RamboPreacher]

I thought that unions were considered verboten. just wondering if those recommendations (rules) have been changed, as it seems there are many in COGOP that belong to unions.

[Tarheelone]

When the former SO of NC asked the NAP about this subject, I was informed that, "we accept people on their confession of faith."

[biblemanryan]

To the best of my knowledge, it was originally forbidden, and then changed so that if someone's employer required it, they were allowed, but were not to participate in the various politics or business of the union. That was all early to mid-1900's so I am unsure of what other times it might have been addressed since then.

[dolfan]

I think the labor union thing sort of disappeared from AMs in the 70's or before. I think.

[mavislb]

I don't remember anything growing up about unions. I do remember the advice not to join lodges and other secret organizations. But unions aren't secret are they? The original purpose of unions was something that was very much needed in our society to protect the worker. But they have gone beyond that now and I personally don't like them. But that's me. I don't remember any admonition not to belong and I've been around since I was born in 1950.

[rjjunior]

Here's the newest statement, circa 1984.
In the 45th Assembly in 1950, the following recommendation was approved: [...]unions to have work, but they are not to have any part in business matters in the unions. We further recommend that our members are not to take part in strikes unless forced to. In no case are they to take part in acts of violence in the picket lines. We suggest that this recommendation, along with any other relative to this subject, be superseded with the following resolution: Members of the Church of God involved in labor-management disputes should be examples in manifesting Christian principles of respect for one another. While labor and management may both be tempted to work to their own advantage in the practical world of labor-management negotiations, and dis- agreements may arise, the Christian must be governed by godly principles which clearly oppose violence, greed or abuse of others. Paul's instructions to the Romans are timely for this day: peaceably with all men every man on his own things, but every man also on the things of others (Philippians 2:4).

It should be noted that the 1950 statement was a part of the Overseer's address that was endorsed by the Assembly.

[Rascal]

The church does not teach against unions as I understand it. This would be a problem for many members in the past.

Now, lets examine it from another perspective confronting today's economy. Is it wise to be a member of a union in our struggling ecomony? Depends on which side of the picket line you are on. Management says it is unfairly driving the cost of goods up creating an unequal playing field with China. Workings are saying it is protection of benefits they are entitled to. Both statements are true. Are workers driving up the costs and then management is eliminating the jobs? Is this morally right? If you lose your job to cheap China labor, is this morally wrong? What is the right thing to do?

I believe that the underlying giant of our poor performing economy is simply CHINA! Ross Perot was right when he said there was a great sucking sound of our good paying jobs going to China. So many $20-$30/hr jobs are now gone to China. These jobs have been replaced with $10/hr job at WalMart. You can't buy a house, chevy, food, and insurance on $10/hr. Why are our politicians not talking about this? President Obama has really not addressed this much. Further, I have not heard any of the republician candidates even mention it. I wonder why............could it be lobbyists?????????

[Full Quiver]

Equating union membership with immorality based on higher wages or whatever you were arguing is not even the issue.

How about your hard earned money in the form of union dues going to fund abortions and politicians that fight to legalize abortions?

[Rascal]

I am not advocating that union membership is immoral. If it is, I am immorial myself as I still have my Teamster's Union card in my billfold from 30 yrs ago. Just putting this out there for comment. Some people would say that unions are immoral and perhaps some of their activities are. I would agree that abortion is immoral. Just like a lot of things, some good, some bad.

[Susie Hamilton]

I just submitted my paperwork to get out of the letter carriers union, a waste of money. THey have made deals with management that hurt us and I am tired of their crooked ways, speaking of our union.

[RamboPreacher]

i know that membership is based on salvation (and the fruit thereof), my question was one more of curiosity and that it might have still remained 'on the books" so to speak; without being directly re-addressed. rjjunior shows that in 1984 apparently it was addressed in part, but not in whole.

my point is that I wonder what "recommendations" are on the books, so to speak, that they need to be completely readdressed? (mostly rhetorical)