George,

It's been interesting seeing the equivocation with which Democrats in Charlottesville handle the question of workers unionizing in town. It speaks to the dearth of working class people in the local Democratic Party, a misunderstanding of what working people need and want, what unions can provide and, most starkly, to the success of the concerted anti-union movement of the last 50 years. It's been so successful, in fact, that Democrats ... especially in Virginia ... are loath to even stand up for their most steadfast and dependable ally.

Some of the current candidates have hidden behind "existing state law" prohibiting collective bargaining by state employees. Failing to challenge "existing state law" would have stymied the Civil Rights Movement. "Existing state law" limits the rights of defendants via the 21-day law. "Existing state law" prohibits consenting adults from many private acts. "Right to Work" statutes ... "existing state law" ... allow people to enjoy the benefits fought for and won via collective bargaining for free. "Existing state law." Consider the source.

I've been a union worker my entire adult life. It's the proudest and wisest move of my professional career. Not only have I experienced the protection of collective bargaining and contract protection firsthand, but I have a secure and dignified retirement to look forward to. But the benefits of union membership and involvement extend far beyond mere pocketbook issues. Whether I've been involved with my own Union, the American Federation of Musicians, or with the many other Unions that I've worked with throughout North America ... the Communications Workers of America (the Union representing UVA workers), the United Food and Commercial Workers, the United Mine Workers, the Association of Flight Attendants, United Autoworkers, the Steelworkers, Transportation Workers of America, Bricklayers Union, UNITE, Service Employees International Union, Asbestos Workers, International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers, International Paperworkers Union and many others ... I've encountered dedicated union workers who will demand a pay raise but will fight for dignity and respect.

Dignity and respect. It's really what organizing workers is about. And that is the starting place for discussing the issue of labor vs. management. Anyone with the most minimal knowledge of American history knows that the imbalance of power enjoyed by management has rarely been ceded. It was, rather, taken. The 8-hour day (remember the 8-hour day?), child labor laws, what health care is offered by employers, retirement plans, health and safety laws, non-discrimination ordinances...these are but a few triumphs that were fought for and won by the sweat and the blood of union workers that came before us. To minimize, overlook or, worse, forget such gains speaks as much to our collective amnesia as it does to our disrespect of the past.

"Oh, sure, we needed Unions once but they've outlasted their usefulness now," I've heard more than once.

When there is a more active and vocal advocate for universal health care than organized labor I'll say we no longer need Unions. When every employer provides adequate benefits for their employees and creates a healthful and respectful working environment I'll say we no longer need Unions. When retirees no longer have to worry that their guaranteed benefits of lifelong health care and retirement pay...which they negotiated in good faith with their employers...will not be stolen and rescinded (anyone reading the Enron news?) then I'll say we don't need Unions. When workers aren't artificially pitted against one another by employers who care nothing about shipping good paying jobs abroad I'll say we no longer need Unions. When corporations can internationalize...making national borders and their attendant governments moot...and sponsor laws preventing Unions from simultaneously internationalizing and thus providing no balance of power then I'll say we no longer need Unions. When working people feel there is power equity in the workplace I'll say we no longer need Unions.

In the meantime, I'll look to candidates who have the knowledge, the wisdom and the courage to understand both our history and our future enough to realize that workers alone have the power to choose how to equalize the imbalance of power in the workplace, the marketplace and the statehouse. And Unions have been and are their vehicle to exercise that power. Until someone comes up with a more proven and potent solution, in the words of Woody Guthrie, "I'm sticking with the Union."

John McCutcheon (electronic mail, February 4, 2002)