I have always had an issue with the way some unions do things in this city. The moment a union abandons their original mission of creating fairness in the workplace, my support comes to a screeching halt.
Far too often union practices impede progress, make it difficult for third parties to conduct business and strong arm companies without expecting much productivity from the members they represent. I have witnessed far too many strikes in which all sides lost and the best interest of union members was sacrificed just to make a point.
There are currently two union strikes pending in the city of Pittsburgh. One is parking lot attendants. These are the folks who take your 15 dollars after you parked you car for 15 minutes in some downtown lot, 6 blocks from where you needed to be, finally surrendering to their wrath after failing to find a metered space.
The other strike that we are just beginning to learn about is a threatened stagehand strike that has postponed the opening of the production "Chicago". It's the second show affected by a labor dispute with the International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees.
My issue is not with the strike or the lack of a contract, it's with the union leaders who see the financial burdens of a city and say "so what". It's calling a strike when there are thousands of people in the wake of Katrina who have lost everything?
Each one of us has been asked to donate as much money as we can to the relief efforts. Countless folks have reached out beyond expectations to help those in need. Now is not the time to plead a union case. There are needs that must be met and an expired contract in not currently one of them.
Forgive my lack sympathy in this matter, but it is currently occupied with much more important things. To the union i say "thank you". I will not have to go to see "Chicago" and I won't have to worry about finding a parking spot either. That money will go to a much greater cause.
No comments:
Post a Comment