The 800lbs Gorilla in the Room.

There's an issue in the Labor Movement that we've had for some time now staring us right in the face and we haven't been able to remedy it yet. That is our Image. Everyone knows about it and its been discussed and debated to no end, but we haven't fixed it. To paraphrase Mark Breslin, people have a 1960's view of the 21st century Labor Movement. That's a problem. The AFL-CIO and pretty much every Trade Union recognizes this and have been actively addressing it. Part of the problem is the conservative PR machine that's filled to the brim with cash and just rolls right over our efforts, they want people to keep thinking that way. Using words like "Union Thugs", I hate that term! Labor wants to help the workers, raise them up to a better standard of living for them and their families. But no, the union buster says we want to come in and tell you how to live your life and run the company into the ground...that's a bunch of Bull! It doesn't benefit a Union to run a company into the ground and Unions don't tell people how to live their lives, not one bit. But they exploit people's fear of the unknown. They pit the working class against itself time and time again. By using fear, religion, racism and lies. They want us fighting each other as they steal the shirts off our backs and the food out of our children's mouths.

I feel that there's a way to combat this PR Blitzkrieg and without having to match them dollar for dollar. Our numbers. Remember we are Union, our numbers are our strength. How about every time one of us hears a friend, neighbor, relative, hell even a perfect stranger speak badly of Unions we ask, why do you feel that way? Nine times out of ten its usually because of some misinformation that they were given by employers or coworkers. I admittedly have been know to jump down people's throats sometimes when they spoke disparagingly of Unionism, this is something I'm trying to change. Some of these lies: the Unions are greedy, I'm sure you've heard that one before. All we want is to provide a good secure life for our families and retire with dignity. I see nothing greedy about that. Unions run companies into the ground. Oh do they? Many companies that I know that were organized have gone on to be more profitable than ever...there are those silly facts and numbers lying again. And my personal favorite, I don't want Unions telling me how to vote. Yes, because a Union official will be in the voting booth with you watching over how you vote. That one to me is the most asinine, Unions inform the membership on whom they're supporting and suggest that you vote for those candidates. If you want to be a moron and vote against your own economic interests, that's up to you. Debunking these lies should be on every members mind. Use whatever you can, be it the internet or a conversation to spread positive knowledge about Unionism. Remember this, the Labor Movement's greatest asset is it's membership.