Unions

Those of us of a certain age probably remember the "Look for the Union Label" commercial of some years ago. For those who are too young to remember, it was a commercial for the International Ladies' Garment Workers Union. The commercial reminded people to buy union-made clothing so that union workers could keep their jobs, feed the kids and run the house.

My grandfather was one of the founders of the Garment Workers Union. He helped many workers who were being exploited by unscrupulous, or simply greedy, bosses.

Times have changed.

I worked in a union shop. I learned the truth about unions. Although they do help many people, unions are not the answer for everybody.

The company I worked for had a union contract which based salary on experience--not necessarily with the company, but experience in general. The older you were, the more experience you had, the more money you made.

But what if a younger worker was more efficient, more capable or just a harder worker? Too bad. A mediocre older worker would get paid more than a top-notch younger worker because that was what the union contract stipulated. Fair? I don't think so.

Now, a union has struck again.

A friend of mine works for a company, also controlled by a union contract. A position opened up for which he was qualified, so he applied. Many of his co-workers felt he should get the position. In fact, while the position was vacant, he was filling in and doing the job. Finally, they've chosen someone. Did he get the job?

He should have. He's qualified, he's already been doing it, he's been with the company longer than anybody else in his department. However, the union contract states that all positions have to be offered to the public. He was passed over in favor of an outsider.

Loyalty meant nothing. Hard work meant nothing. Ability meant nothing.

The union spoke. So be it.