I have always argued labor unions provide justice and better living conditions for workers in this country. What I haven't done is go beyond labor, further educating those against unions on just how ridiculous they sound.
Let's get beyond the constant criticism of corruption. Any person in any organization can corrupt the entity itself. I would rather counter those who say a union isn't useful or "past its time" in America.
Let's start simple. Your parent/teacher organization is a union. Your neighborhood association is a union. Your political parties are a union. Any group of people who are joining to strengthen their voices and turn them into one for a cause or goal are unions. But, let's get deeper...
The American Medical Association is a union. Sure, they don't call themselves a union because of the same reason people like I don't boastfully call ourselves liberal. The word has been taken hostage and those who have owned it before don't have the guts to fight back for it - or are just too afraid to.
The doctors work together as one. When it comes to certain legislation, they get together and have one stance. If another doctor comes into the neighborhood practicing the same as others, they get together so that the doctor doesn't undercut them. The doctors pay dues to be members of the union, um, association.
If you anti-union people still think differently so far, I'll grab the words off their own website:
When you become an AMA member, you join member physicians from every medical specialty in one strong, national voice. Together, we transform our passion for medicine into meaningful legislative action on behalf of our profession and patients.
Not made up. In other words, how about pay attention to those tea criers and their signs and wake up!
Unions are the foundation of this country. They provide one voice for the group. But, let's review a union that you have to be part of - forced - in a Right-to-Work state: The S.C. Bar
Yes, the lawyers of this state have to be a member of the S.C. Bar in order to practice law. A forced membership into a brotherhood, if you will. Why no uproar about our Right-to-Work laws? You know, the laws that this state passed so that people could freely work without union representation and still reap the benefits of a union? Well, it seems that is used selectively - with labor.
Here's a little about the S.C. Bar from their website:
The South Carolina Bar began in 1884 as an organization of approximately 200 lawyers. Today the Bar serves its more than 13,000 members through a variety of programs and services designed to advance justice, professionalism and understanding of the law. The Bar is also committed to serving and educating the public through projects and initiatives intended to create an atmosphere of communication and trust.
They even have bylaws and a constitution, the very same steelworkers in the USW have. Again, selective we are in attacking unions.
But I want to drive the point home. I want people to once and for all realize that if you attack a union, you attack your own people - your neighbor, your family and you yourself.
When you go to church each Sunday and worship amongst hundreds of others you are in a union. The organized religion in America are unions. They speak with one voice to God and Jesus. They pray with one voice to God and Jesus. You become a member of the church and join a religious family. The churches have bylaws and criteria to follow as well at a national level. And, we all know they use their power - Religious Right - to sway creation of laws in this country.
The tithes you give to your church - do you question where they go when you give? Do you hawk the budget on the back of the bulletins? Do you attend your committee meetings at church?
Labor unions do the same for workers as churches do for their congregation - they protect, serve and look out for their best interests. Why attack one when you can attack them all. They all do the same exact thing - they take money in and spend it via a committee on is best needed. They all take some form of membership dues. Yes, tithing can be argued a membership due in some aspects.
The anti-union people have all been force-fed their information and, instead of questioning it and looking like an outcast because they choose to think, run the board on all things associated with labor. Just labor, mind you.
Remember, Jesus could be considered the first ever union president because he organized the poor for the common good. It was he who sacrificed himself for the people as a whole. And yes, he asked for a membership due: Believe in Him and his Word.
I am a proud Steelworker, but more than that I am a proud union member. I am glad to know that when I voice out my concerns, I am listened to and received - from here at my USW local all the way up to Heaven.
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