July 4, 2007

Union? Yes!

By Stan Dyer

Commenting about recent legislation, a man said, "America doesn't need Labor Unions anymore. They've outlived their purpose." He went on to explain how there is no more child labor, and how laws enacted in 1935 protect Americans and their right to collective bargaining. Well, it's certain he feels strongly about what he believes, and he certainly is within his rights as a fellow American to voice his opinion, but it's difficult to say if he's seeing the whole picture clearly or only the parts he wants to see. History shows us that laws are only as good as the level of respect and enforcement they receive.

Consider traffic laws. Take a drive on the highway any day of the week and you can witness many good citizens traveling much faster than the posted speed limit. They don't see themselves as criminals and they don't see anything wrong with what they are doing. You can bet they'll be angry if they get tickets, too. Now, I'm not saying that we have to follow the exact letter of the law and follow it all the time, but it makes a person think. If we Americans take such a cavalier attitude toward traffic safety and we become so complacent in our driving habits that we see nothing wrong with what we do, how can we be certain this attitude isn't affecting how we see other laws? If respect for any law diminishes or if the level of enforcement does not maintain a good level of respect, any law will effectively evaporate and disappear in time. It's happening right now all around the city.

Collective bargaining agreements aside, there are State laws and Federal laws that are violated on a routine basis. Child labor is one of those laws, as are the laws for payment of overtime, the laws allowing for break periods, the laws for equal pay, and the laws forbidding harassment and intimidation. The violators aren't criminal. For the most part, they are just negligent. They either aren't aware of the rules, or, as with traffic laws, they have become so accustomed to their routine that they don't even realize violations occur. That's where the Unions come in. Union business agents work to help remind companies of the State and Federal obligations as well as collective bargaining requirements.

Collective bargaining is only one part of the Union benefit. Many times, those collective bargaining agreements contain items already covered by State and Federal law, but the Union enforces the law. In the Union, there is no child labor and break periods are mandated for safety reasons. The Union does not differentiate between age, sex, religion, race or creed. All are welcome and all who do the same work get the same pay. As for harassment and intimidation, any Union member can go to his business agent to end all harassment and intimidation. Without a Union, workers stand alone and have little recourse to action when their rights are violated. With the support of the Union, workers regain the dignity and respect the laws were designed to provide.

Now, if a man feels his life is at the level where he doesn't need to belong to a Union, I personally applaud his success. I will remind him, however, that the history of this country proves there is strength in unity. I will also remind him that many highly talented, highly successful, and highly intelligent people choose to be Union. When he watches a Bronco game, he is watching the rank and file of the National Football League Players Association, a Union. When he watches a movie, he is watching the work of members of the Screen Actors Guild, another Union. When he visits the hospital, the doctors and nurses who treat him all belong to a Union. You have to know something is good when so many great and gifted minds see the benefit of Union membership and collective bargaining. If it is good for them, it is good for all people.

There may come a time when Unions are needed no longer. It will happen just as soon as lawmakers legislate conscience, and everyone everywhere obeys all traffic laws. Until that time, I'll take my lessons from history and follow the lead of the nation's most brilliant minds. If you ask me about Unions, I will respond in one word, "YES"!