Writing in The Cap Times, Phil Neuenfeldt, the President of the Wisconsin State AFL-CIO reminds us that Labor Day is a time to recognize and celebrate the hard-working men and women who make our country great.
"While we honor working men and women everywhere, we pay tribute to the union movement. The labor movement not only brought us the weekend, child labor protections and a safe work environment, but unions provide a necessary check on unbridled corporate greed and CEO power."
I will admit that I have not always been a member of the teacher's union. When I taught in Iowa, I was not a member. Moving to Minnesota I joined the union because if one is not part of the union, they still pay something close to union dues for the work the union does. For years I have been "ho-hum" about unions and their benefits. Recently I have watched the Republicans try to ruin unions, and I have found a new respect for unions and their necessity. My 180 has been out of the realization of the union's importance to the middle and poverty classes.
Recently I was talking to a colleague who has friends and family teaching in Wisconsin. This colleague is anti-union and Republican (who knows why?). He/she mentioned a friend whose job has changed due to Wisconsin's new legislation. This teacher works without any prep time built into the day. I was surprised that even this realization did not change my colleague's viewpoint on unions.
Today I celebrate Labor Day and unions!
"While we honor working men and women everywhere, we pay tribute to the union movement. The labor movement not only brought us the weekend, child labor protections and a safe work environment, but unions provide a necessary check on unbridled corporate greed and CEO power."
I will admit that I have not always been a member of the teacher's union. When I taught in Iowa, I was not a member. Moving to Minnesota I joined the union because if one is not part of the union, they still pay something close to union dues for the work the union does. For years I have been "ho-hum" about unions and their benefits. Recently I have watched the Republicans try to ruin unions, and I have found a new respect for unions and their necessity. My 180 has been out of the realization of the union's importance to the middle and poverty classes.
Recently I was talking to a colleague who has friends and family teaching in Wisconsin. This colleague is anti-union and Republican (who knows why?). He/she mentioned a friend whose job has changed due to Wisconsin's new legislation. This teacher works without any prep time built into the day. I was surprised that even this realization did not change my colleague's viewpoint on unions.
Today I celebrate Labor Day and unions!
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