Gov. Scott Walker of Wisconsin
is attempting to eliminate most collective bargaining rights for public
employees in his state.
Republican legislators in my state of Tennessee want to take this right
away from teachers. Florida is
considering similar legislation. Across
the country, elected officials are attempting to roll back the rights earned by
American workers through blood, sweat, and tears.
I
will admit up front that I am prejudiced.
I grew up in a home where my father was a member of a union. More than once, the union went on strike to
gain better wages and benefits. Those
were not happy days! My wife and
daughter have been members of teachers organizations (often referred to as “unions”)
that negotiate with local school boards and state legislators for improved
wages, better working conditions, and employment protection.
The
closest I have come to being a “union” member was when I helped to organize and
promote a professional organization called the Association of Southern Baptist
Campus Ministers in the 1970s. At least
one state director of student work (one who was not my employer) wrote and told
me that “BSU [Baptist Student Union] directors don’t need a union.” We did need encouragement, professional
development and fellowship, but most all we wanted to exercise our freedom of
association. (On a side note, several of
the early leaders of ASBCM went on to become state directors of student
ministries!)
The
freedom to join together as a group to pursue common interests and engage in
collective bargaining is based on freedom of association. Although it is not
specifically found in the Constitution of the United States of America, it can
be inferred from the right of freedom of assembly. By working together for the common good,
unions and other organizations have helped to assure fair and equitable
treatment for all the members of a group.
I
know that there are downsides to such organizations, but they provide a check
and balance on the power of employers and even governmental entities. In my experience with public education, I
know of several individuals who would have loss their livelihood without the
support of the teachers’ organization.
In
an age when individualism is extolled but not always rewarded, we need the
strength of community and mutual commitment to a common goal. The people of Egypt can testify to the
importance of such unity. Working together, we can may a difference.
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