What a Glorious Union

What a Glorious Union,

Union Basics in Right-to-Work States

By Alan Perry

                  

Many think that labor unions in right-to-work states have very little power; I suppose that depends on how you measure power. Unions are considered beneficial to workers in various trades and professions including fire and emergency medical services. The common advantages being the ability to negotiate labor contracts through collective bargaining, union representation in disputes and the ability to strike as a unit if all else fails. These are advantages that workers in right-to-work states such as The Commonwealth of Virginia lack.

So why join a union? The union may not possess much in the way of formal power when it comes to negotiating labor contracts in Virginia, but when the members come together and pool their resources and influence, the power generated will be felt in the form of public opinion and political pressure. These forces can and should be used to benefit the community and the public safety organizations responsible for their defense. An educated and informed public is the best ally of the firefighter, Paramedic and Police Officer. The unions exist to further the needs of these and other public servants as well as other organized labor groups with or without the legal authority granted in some states.

A union in a right-to-work state can exert influence through effective public education, promotion and cultivation of media resources to build a machine that honestly and fairly brings the needs of the worker and the organization to the attention of the public. A just cause or reasonable request will receive public support, generate political pressure, lubricate the sticky wheels of government and achieve what a thousand polite proposals and requests can never do. Municipal leaders will hide behind budgets, feasibility studies and consultants opinions to justify bad ideas, poor judgment and indecisiveness in managing the affairs of local government. These arguments melt away in the face of public opinion and pressure.

Of course power corrupts, and unions are no exception, the union and its leadership must remember that they serve both the public and the union members. Union leaders who seek personal gain, favors, or lead the union in a direction motivated by greed and selfishness will destroy the public trust and the union itself. This is why participation is so important, your union leaders need you as a sounding board to make sure they make decisions that are righteous and uphold the reputation and values of public safety employees.

Union members who find themselves in ineffective unions, with poor attendance and participation should be looking for some serious change. The union is your best tool to promote your organizations needs and your needs as an employee, you need to fight for it, participate and drive the discussion toward taking the action your union was intended to take on behalf of your community and your career. Perhaps if my union ever asked me to join, I would do so gladly, volunteer to run for president and show them how its done.

Sincerely….