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September 05, 2005

Eternal Froth

I was in a union once. I taught at a local MnSCU affiliate for a semester; given a choice between paying $108 for my "fair share" of collective bargaining costs (which was apparently well-spent; it was a very well-paid part-time job) and dropping $120 to join the Inter-Faculty Organization, I paid the extra $8; it was worth it to be able to be able to taunt all my non-union-member DF"L" acquaintances.

But I nearly regretted the $8 when I went to the New Faculty Orientation meeting. One of the speakers - the longest-winded and most frothingly-impassioned - was the IFO steward for the "shop". A doughy little liberal arts PhD who didn't look as if he'd lifted anything heavier than an MLA bibliography in his life, he stood in front of the group and described the previous bargaining session. His voice smoldered, and his eyes flamed as the described the perfidy of "Management", sounding like a Wobbly as he, an overly-fed upper-middle-class fellow who had clearly known enough opportunity in life to have attended 20 years of school and getting a job teaching at a college for excellent money in a very pleasant metro area, went on like he'd just bargained the work week from 90 hours down to 75 for a bunch of sweat shop workers.

So let it be known - I'm a big supporter of unions in their role as collective bargainers and watchdogs of work conditions. And I'm not so naive as to think that management is always looking out for workers' best interests. Nor am I willing to forgive the willful naivete of too many in organized labor in believing that they are truly interested in representing "labor", as opposed to "white, middle-class labor in traditional manufacturing jobs".

All by way of noting that it's twenty years since the Hormel strike in Austin, MN. The 13 month strike ended with violence, a National Guard response, and finally the hiring of replacement workers and the defeat of UFCW Local P9.

For some in Austin, the strike never ended.

From this morning's PiPress:

Not far from the sprawling Hormel Foods processing plant, about 25 members of the P-9 United Support Group gather each week in a small hall that serves as their strike headquarters.

Never mind that the strike began 20 years ago, concluding 13 months later with the union they held dear essentially obliterated.

Every Tuesday and Thursday, the "Fighting Local P-9ers" begin their meeting by facing an American flag that has been pinned to a wall amid posters, photos and banners. "The Best Workforce Hormel Ever Had," one banner proclaims in the tidy little room the die-hards enter from an alley behind a dilapidated commercial building.

In unison, the former Hormel workers recite the Pledge of Allegiance. Some are the sons or grandsons of workers who were called "Wobblies" when they first organized Local P-9 with a sit-down strike in 1933.

It's a fascinating story on several levels; the strikers' obvious commitment...:
"All we're trying to do is keep the story alive, so it doesn't happen again," said Arlen Gorman, who had worked for 19½ years at Hormel before the strike.
...and the suffering the workers endure to this day...:
About 150 strike veterans showed up to listen to speeches by Macalester's [Professor Peter] Rachleff, former union officers and other strike veterans.
Making them listen to Rachleff? For the love of G-d, all they did was strike. It's not like they're murderers or rapists or anyone that deserves having to listen to Peter Rachleff.

But I digress. Read the whole thing. I'm not sure if it's an interesting view of perseverence, or a depressing example of monomania, like when they find one of those Japanese soldiers who's been carrying on the War since 1945.

Posted by Mitch at September 5, 2005 08:28 AM | TrackBack
Comments

Do you mean extra $12?

Posted by: Jonathan at September 5, 2005 09:30 AM

I did a google search using the
words I love Ann Coulter and ran accross
your site.
ON AN OLD POST Ann Coulter

There is at least one other site that turned
up when I typed in those words.

Not sure if I would say I love Ann Coulter
But I am grateful for her speaking up.
I am also greatful for Dr. Laura,
and the people of the KSFO "Morning show:"
Lee Rogers and Melanie Morgan and Officer Vic.
And who can forget Rush Limbaugh?

Posted by: Guy Takamatsu at September 12, 2005 03:19 AM
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