Delaware State Senator Michael P. Mulrooney's op-ed, "Demonizing Unions Makes No Sense," reminds those who may have forgotten exactly who unions are made up of: hard working members of communities whose common goal is to better families and keep houses in order. From the article:
Let me say this clearly: Unions are not “the enemy.” This game of creating a boogeyman for our problems does nothing to get at the heart of any issues our state and country face.
The vilification of hard-working people has become so common in recent years that many of us forget just who unions and union members are and what they have done for all of us.
Union members are part of middle-class America. They aren’t living high on the hog, cashing checks and putting their feet up at some ritzy country club. They work hard every day to earn a living, put food on the table and put their kids through school. They are two-income families who are trying to save enough so they can retire at 65.
Mulroney then shifts focus to the breadth of creeds, colors and industries union members represent, noting how unfair it is to judge people simply because their chosen profession allows them to organize with fellow workers to avoid exploitation and abuse. In most cases, unions are necessary in professions where safety is of the highest regard due to potential risk.
It’s worth pointing out that there are unions for dozens of fields, including teachers, nurses, police, firefighters, chemical workers, mechanics, hotel workers and food service employees. They keep us safe, educate our children, build the homes in which we live and fix the power when it goes out.Union members are part of the fabric of society. This “us versus them” theme is ridiculous. Walk out on your front steps and look left, look right and look across the street. Chances are at least one of your neighbors belongs to a union. Their kids play on your kids’ Little League team. They do charity work and volunteer. They attend your church.
To read State Sen. Michael Mulrooney's piece in it's entirety click HERE.