Our Sport needs a Riders Union!

Edited Date/Time 5/8/2012 6:12pm
http://www.texasoffroad.net/forum/ubbthreads.php/topics/535497/Josh_Dem…


Just one more example of why there needs to be a riders union in this sport.
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rohleder644
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5/7/2012 5:34pm
Unions solve all the world's problems......fact
pitbike502
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5/7/2012 5:34pm
out of curiosity, how would a union help in this situation?
5/7/2012 5:36pm
Collective bargaining power for affordable insurance for all pro riders.
Sherwood
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5/7/2012 5:36pm
Collective bargaining power for affordable insurance for all pro riders.
and who do you want to pay for that?

The Shop

5/7/2012 5:38pm
Have you EVER heard of a pro racer in another sport having to beg for money to pay medical bills?
Cygnus
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5/7/2012 5:38pm
Collective bargaining power for affordable insurance for all pro riders.
And a pention fund.
rohleder644
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5/7/2012 5:38pm
Sherwood wrote:
and who do you want to pay for that?
that, sir, is a question for someone else. The union's job is to demand. Logic is not their department.
5/7/2012 5:42pm
1- The union can pay for it with membership dues and it will be more affordable due to the number of people that are paying in.

2- The riders can collectively bargain with the promoters and the people that era actually making the most money on this sport to offer coverage

3- The riders can petition an insurance company to offer reduced rates if all riders agree to join.
Sherwood
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5/7/2012 5:44pm Edited Date/Time 5/7/2012 5:45pm
1- The union can pay for it with membership dues and it will be more affordable due to the number of people that are paying in...
1- The union can pay for it with membership dues and it will be more affordable due to the number of people that are paying in.

2- The riders can collectively bargain with the promoters and the people that era actually making the most money on this sport to offer coverage

3- The riders can petition an insurance company to offer reduced rates if all riders agree to join.
When we stop paying to be on TV you might have a point.

RIght now we need a rider safety inspector/whatever you want to call him that directly works with the AMA/promoter.
4stroke4DWIN
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5/7/2012 5:47pm
Oh boy, I was a union brick layer (refractory) not house block. I can tell you that a union will be the worst thing for the sport. We did very little actual work, complained about everything and thought our shit didn't stink. I personally don't want to see this sport spiral into boycotts and walk outs cuz they don't think they get payed enough. Example Baseball, basketball and football. Motorsports are the last professional sport I watch these days because most other sports make a million dollars and then complain that they don't make 1.3 million. Greed is a mofo. Just my.02
maxc811
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5/7/2012 5:49pm
the AMA does not take the talk of a union very well !!!!!!....it was tried in the 90s....AMA killed it fast..
pitbike502
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5/7/2012 5:54pm
maxc811 wrote:
the AMA does not take the talk of a union very well !!!!!!....it was tried in the 90s....AMA killed it fast..
is that why the lights went out ? Sideways
mx 219
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5/7/2012 5:55pm
Im not sure how much these guys make, like the guys getting 12-20th in SX or payout for nationals, but really they should be saving their money for a rainy day, they should have insurance (didnt read the article so Idk if he has or not) but it is common sense to have it and each and every rider should have it. Don't live like a Rockstar unless you are making more than a mill a year, and even then SAVE YOUR MONEY!!!
DPR250R
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5/7/2012 5:57pm Edited Date/Time 5/7/2012 5:58pm
Are we talking union or affordable rider health insurance?
GuyB
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5/7/2012 5:59pm
pitbike502 wrote:
out of curiosity, how would a union help in this situation?
I agree.

I thought Josh had retired from pro racing?

As far as collectively bargaining with insurance companies for cheaper rates, you're asking them to make things more affordable for some of their highest risk customers. What's the advantage to them?
BAMX
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5/7/2012 6:13pm
pitbike502 wrote:
out of curiosity, how would a union help in this situation?
GuyB wrote:
I agree. I thought Josh had retired from pro racing? As far as collectively bargaining with insurance companies for cheaper rates, you're asking them to make...
I agree.

I thought Josh had retired from pro racing?

As far as collectively bargaining with insurance companies for cheaper rates, you're asking them to make things more affordable for some of their highest risk customers. What's the advantage to them?
All they would have to do is look at this years SX injury list and any talk of a deal would be gone. The scary part is that many insurance companies exclude racing and even riding these days.
bvm111
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5/7/2012 6:16pm
not this shit again
tbright80
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5/7/2012 6:19pm
Riders union would help our broke ass living out of a rust bucket privateers who sacrifice their childhood,high school,prom and teenage life to bust ass everyday do whatever it takes and then go out and make a solid coupld hundred bucks for their 15 yr effort trying to get the pro scene.The thing about other sports is that if you do sacrifice all the things above and if you make it you're guranteed a great return of an six figure to seven figure contract depending on you being a bench warmer or key player.
Professional motocross and supercross is a Fantansy land. you think you can make all this money,but when you finally wake up from your dream you realize dangg I can make more money working a start up job at mickie d's, but when your a racer the love of something so special its just hard to give up. I hope one day the promoters wake up and realize lets give back to these hard workers who make the sport. also these bogus bonus awards need to just stop they're a joke. every award goes to a factory rider or factory mechanic. how about they live a life a privateer effort and then see who has it hard.

Hey Mr.Canfield at mxsports stil im still waiting on that email to see that 2012 outdoor nationa payout. I guess its so bad they dont even want to look at it.
yosmithy
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5/7/2012 6:20pm
No, this sports needs full on gaming....You want to control the promoter's, just add gambling....
powDIRT
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5/7/2012 6:24pm Edited Date/Time 5/7/2012 6:25pm
A riders union would help kill the sport. The sport doesn't generate enough revenue for the hassle the promoters would have to deal with through collective bargaining and litigation. It would be a great way to scare off most viable investors in the series.

Plus, (A) The quality of riding would tank because there are a ton of guys that would "scab" and ride for the current conditions. ( B ) Just like so many labor unions, the little guy would get screwed. The privateer who now makes a couple hundred bucks (if that) during a race weekend, would be paying his union fees and would walk away with squat.
carlosmacho
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5/7/2012 6:25pm
http://www.texasoffroad.net/forum/ubbthreads.php/topics/535497/Josh_Dem…


Just one more example of why there needs to be a riders union in this sport.
If that is the case, let the riders create a Union.

But in this country, you are responsible for your own health care and pension (Though our liberal gov has and is trying to control that which is why they say our pension is going bankrupt [social security retirement] in which case you will be paying SS and having to provide for your own retirement with no benefits from the gov)

If I go ride my bike and get hurt, do I send out a plea to donate to my medical expenses? Well if I didn't have a job that had the benefit of health care I might. Or if I bought an xbox and direct tv with a mac, iphone with internet instead of getting health care I might.

I don't mind helping people, even if they are young and make money management mistakes and live beyond their means, but a Union is not going to fix that problem.

What this country needs is people who understand how to save money for retirement and for medical emergencies, pay for health care instead of buying big houses, new cars and services they cannot afford and live within their means.
Cygnus
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5/7/2012 6:31pm
pitbike502 wrote:
out of curiosity, how would a union help in this situation?
GuyB wrote:
I agree. I thought Josh had retired from pro racing? As far as collectively bargaining with insurance companies for cheaper rates, you're asking them to make...
I agree.

I thought Josh had retired from pro racing?

As far as collectively bargaining with insurance companies for cheaper rates, you're asking them to make things more affordable for some of their highest risk customers. What's the advantage to them?
If he placed this weekend and won money he's a pro still right?
Tiki
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Fantasy
5/7/2012 6:33pm
yosmithy wrote:
No, this sports needs full on gaming....You want to control the promoter's, just add gambling....
In your irony there is logical truth.
5/7/2012 6:34pm
Jeremy McGrath brought this up at one point during his career and the AMA told him that if he pursued it he would be kicked out of professional racing.
GuyB
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5/7/2012 6:34pm
There's pro racing at the top level, and pro racing at local events. Is it the same thing? Would MotoChief's union consider them the same?

The thing I read about his injury on another board said he was practicing. That's quite different from what you're talking about.
Cygnus
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5/7/2012 6:42pm
GuyB wrote:
There's pro racing at the top level, and pro racing at local events. Is it the same thing? Would MotoChief's union consider them the same? The...
There's pro racing at the top level, and pro racing at local events. Is it the same thing? Would MotoChief's union consider them the same?

The thing I read about his injury on another board said he was practicing. That's quite different from what you're talking about.
Josh raced at the top level a long ass time. Had there been a retirement type funD maybe he wouldn't need donations to get through this. I always had a chip on my shoulder because Bob Hannah never ride once he quit. Now I know why and think he is one of the smartest men to ever ride a dirt bike.
EastFlorida
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5/7/2012 6:48pm
While I'm not a union fan, I do believe there needs to be some type of insurance program.
rrdecals
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5/7/2012 6:50pm
OK have to chime in on this one.
Union- maybe
Problem is unless the top riders got involved nothing would happen. What is there incentive to help the rest of the field?
Remember those 8 guys are making a good living.
$230 to make the night show in the 250 class remember it's $200 to enter and $50 for a mechanics band.
$300 for a main event so now you can buy some lunch.

Best thing that could happen- the fans boycott until the privateers are paid a fair wage.
5/7/2012 7:01pm
The incentive to help the rest of the field is obvious to me. Who would ever tune in or show up to watch 5-10 guy race each other? Without the rest of the field, all we have is a reality show.
48fordcoe
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5/7/2012 7:09pm
Watch all the rider move to a right to work state (right ride state) and they would have all the benefits with out paying of Obama relection :-)

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