Union Perspectives

Now is the time for all families and union members to learn the best way to take care of each other in all events, such as fires, floods, earthquakes, traffic wrecks, shooting and just everyday incidents. All people with children should know basic first aid and CPR. As a first responder with a volunteer fire department, I once went on a medical call where an infant fell into a hot tub and lost his life because the six people at the scene did not know CPR. This should not have happened. We are our "brothers keeper", to use a biblical phrase, and we have a certain responsibility to our fellow workers and our country, we move away from "otherness," "us vs them," "hostility toward those who don't believe as you" and run toward seeing the good in others, showing compassion for others, being responsive toward others--it's imperative that we find a way. If these last six or seven years haven't taught us anything it is that we get ahead in l...

I recently had a conversation with a person who asked why no one wants to work at minimum wage jobs. While this is a good question, it also shows how disconnected the person, who lives a comfortable life, is from the economic reality of so many in our country.  This person pays workers $9 to $11 an hour to do work in a large orchard. I suggested that perhaps some people have given up seeking work because the income they’d earn would amount to them merely existing on minimum wage. Minimum wage workers may earn enough to pay rent and maybe have a little leftover for food but little else, like gas, utilities, car insurance and clothes. Low wages are not a good motivation to go to work with the prospect of never getting ahead. It's not hard to empathize with these workers when you learn what Robert Reich recently pointed out, “Wall Street bonuses totaled $27.5 billion last year, which is more than 3 times the combined annual earnings of all American workers employed full-time at the...