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Apr. 5, 2005 Indiana’s Governor, Mitch Daniels, soon after being sworn in this year, negated all union contracts between the state and its employees. The ink was barely dry on his hands when state employees’ began to express concern about the future of their jobs and the eventual privatization of their jobs. Mitch, an obvious protégé of our great President G. W. Bush, appears to be following the lead of the Feds. After 9/11/2001, the Bush administration rescinded union contracts of many Federal employees. Kentucky and Missouri have followed suit with state employee unions. It is too early to determine possible consequences of these actions and what affect it will have on unions nationally. President of the AFL-ClO, John Sweeney, stated that Mitch Daniels and his former boss in the Whitehouse have taken away the basic rights given to all citizens in the private sector. That is, the right to form and join unions in order to bargain with their employers for a better workplace and a better life. He has vowed to do everything in his power to help state employees to regain their bargaining power. Why this distaste for unions? Historically, unions have had to battle in the United States for worker’s rights. The U. S. has from its earliest days leaned towards capitalism. Industries and businesses held much of the power in this country, as it does today. Money and the freedom it buys has always been the cornerstone of our nation’s foundation. Hence, unions have always had to fight (often literally) to get their foot into the bargaining room. Internationally, unions seem to be more accepted by governments, that is, in developed nations. In England and Germany, unions have rooted well and have always carried a certain amount of influence in governing industries in those countries. In Scandinavian countries, unions have an almost democratized relationship with industries. Often they work hand-in-hand in determining product quality and production standards, working proactively to improve working conditions and employee wages. There was a time in the U. S. when a political candidate wined and dined the most powerful unions in order to get elected on their coattails. That no longer seems to be the case. However, I think it is quite interesting that President Bush while out stomping for nomination wooed union leaders in a number of states. Yet, his party’s stance on unionism is contrary to his actions on the campaign trail. Unions have always carried a stigma in this country. There were some very strong names in union history: Bill Sylvis, founder of the National Labor Union in 1866; Albert Parsons, leader of a massive strike in 1886 known as the May-Day strike; Eugene Debs, American Railway Union; and of course Jimmy Hoffa, Teamster’s Union (disappeared and missing for almost forty years). These were men that fought for workers’ rights in steel industries, rail industries, and packing industries, to name a few. These men were powerful and often feared by government leaders. What many workers do not understand and it is my firm belief, if it were not for unions, we would still see twelve-year-olds sweeping factory floors and sweatshops would still be marring the scenery of our cities and countryside. ------------ About the author: Stan's Place has a new address. If you enjoy mystery and horror try Stan's Place: http://stansplace.4t.com Email Stan Grimes: stan.grimes@verizon.net Tell a friend about this site! ------------ All articles are EXCLUSIVE to Useless-Knowledge.com and are not allowed to be posted on other websites. ARTICLE THIEVES WILL BE PROSECUTED! |
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