With Labor Day close, unions don’t have much to celebrate

Labor Day used to be more than a summer-closing holiday; it was a celebration of labor unions and the American labor movement. That’s easy to forget these days because labor unions don’t have much to celebrate.

At the height of their influence in the 1950s, labor unions could claim to represent about 1 of every 3 American workers. Today, it’s 1 in 9 — and falling.

Some have seen the shrinking size and waning influence of labor unions as a sign that the US economy is growing more flexible and dynamic, but there’s mounting evidence that it is also contributing to slow wage growth and the rise in inequality.

Public-sector unions — meaning those that represent local, state, and federal government employees — have been pretty stable. In 1983, about 37 percent of public sector workers were in unions. Today, it is 35 percent.

Private sector unions have been decimated. Their membership numbers fell nearly 60 percent since 1983, partly in response to globalization and partly as a result of various legal changes that have curtailed unions’ ability to organize.

I worked at a community college, REFUSED point blank to join the union and went in during strikes. I had a big ole station wagon and I would have to park it right in the FACES of my union co-workers.

:o) I'm not stupid.

So, early that morning I went to the nearest doughnut shop and ordered five DOZEN fresh, warm doughnuts. As I drove up to the picket line, at about 7:30 A.M. I rolled down my window, reached over for the HUGE box, brought it up to the window, opened it up WIDE, handed it over to my co-worker and said: "For you guys."

It was like the parting of the Red Sea in total silence. I parked my car and became invisible to all union members.

warm doughnuts = free pass for almost anything.

I went in for the next two days, completely invisible to all union members. It was settled very soon after that.

I wonder if I'll get any flak here from the standard sour grapes-wet blanket gang. :o) I pity the people who have to deal with those sad sacks for any time longer than a nanosecond.

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