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Right to Work: Three Interesting Stories
Author: Jeff Wheatley © 2000-2001 Erasmus Enterprises When I was in my early 20's, I applied for a job in Oklahoma at a large company. After filling out my application, I was informed that this company was Unionized, and that were I to be hired, I would be required to pay Union dues. I mentioned that I was not interested in joining a Union, but was told that these dues would be automatically deducted from my paycheck (against my will). How nice! No one has ever been able to tell me how this could be done, as it clearly attacks my right to choose with whom I will or will not associate. Here I am a few years older, and one day I spoke with the owner of a large business in another state. He had a non-unionized manufacturing plant and looked after his employees quite well. Unfortunately, the Union didn't see it that way. They came in and campaigned for Unionization with grand promises of the results they would deliver. To make a long story short, this businessman stood firm, and though they got their Union, there were no changes (because none were needed) and the employees now take home less than they did before the Union came in because they must finance their Union Representative. Finally, this story occurred here in Oklahoma about 40 years ago. A large, national food processing company had a meat packing plant here in Oklahoma. The facilities were outdated, and as they looked into the costs to repair and upgrade the building, they realized it would be more cost effective to build a new facility. This they did, but shortly after the newer, safer and more modern facility was opened, the employees began to grumble about their wages. They complained that if the company could afford to build a nice, shiny, new building to improve the production, then they could sure afford to pay their employees better. Once again, to shorten a long story, the employees shut down production and cost the company so much in lost business that the National headquarters sent in a fleet of bulldozers and leveled the brand new building. Shortly, they opened new facilities in another state where the people were thankful for the jobs. So, what is my point to these stories? Though I do not personally want to join a Union, I don't mind if others do. I just don't think that anyone should be forced to join one. I can understand the reasoning behind having a Union: simply that in a large company, the unchecked power and control of management can potentially get out of hand. The Union provides a balance to this arrangement. But does the same reasoning not also cut the other way? Should the Union have a power that cannot be resisted, even by those they are representing? I believe that if the Union is doing a good job, they will be able to attract the employees to join, instead of force them. Stated simply, people are free to choose their job. If they don't like the job, they can leave. In the same way, people should be free to choose whether or not to join a Union. If they disagree with the Union, they should be able to retract their support. This is a freedom that all of us (Unionized or not) should be able to support. What do YOU think?
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