Anniversary

Sorry - it's another political column on unions. Avert eyes if you don't like this opinionated political stuff.

I've heard recently about the Triangle Waist Factory - and the upcoming 100 Year Anniversary of the tragic fire that was the beginning of some of the labor movement. See a link here:
http://www.ilr.cornell.edu/trianglefire/
Don't worry - it's not a union addie - it's a Cornell U. history site!

For those of you who don't wish to visit the link - the fire, in NYC claimed the lives of 146 young immigrants working in inhumane conditions. I first learned of these issues in Dr. Neil Harl's Ag Law class at ISU. What a teacher that guy is - and he's still taking Iowa's leaders (legislators and our governor) to task today. I believe I earned a C in that class. ;>( But as you can tell I learned a lot. It was fascinating!

The place was a sweatshop - with work contracted out and the middlemen pocketing the good money, and little flowing through to the workers. The workers got exploited. I recall hearing in class about severed limbs and other atrocities poor workers suffered. They were often underage and of course poor and foreign. They had no one to complain to!

On this occasion, a fire broke out and 146 of 500 workers died - leaving the others scared for life from the "pain and terror" they had witnessed. Doors were actually locked so people could not get out. Some of the young women (Italian and European Jews) jumped to their deaths rather than burn. Back then there were no codes and fire inspections. I get wound up thinking of the Tea Party folks who just want big government out of everything. Are these the rules and requirements they wish to forget?

Anyway - this tragedy was one of the reasons labor unions became so important in the US. They were huge in creating the 40 hour work week, vacations, overtime and many of the benefits we enjoy at work today.

That said - did some of them get corrupt? Did they go overboard? As with anything...do some members take advantage of rules? Yes to all of the above. And, due to those answers, and the unwillingness to negotiate in a realistic manner in a now global economy, many jobs have left the country. Not to say they wouldn't have anyway (see above - some companies are now able to pay much less overseas...why? Let's hope it's not because they're contracting workers...)

Labor unions have had an important place in the United States. Thugs? Outrageous demands that make non-Union people say "gimme a break!" Yes. At times. I think they still have their place though. Wouldn't we all like someone to have our backs, when our boss is being unreasonable? Isn't it crazy that some employers require people to work 80 weeks? Why should a wacko supervisor have total power over a supervisee?

Just think about it.