Lately, we have seen an uptick in labor strikes across various industries, with dock workers, airline staff, and auto workers in turn, all on the rampage. Even coffee makers. On the surface, labor union strike might seem like the ultimate power move against the greedy corporate giants. But, is it what they say?
Certainly, the concept of a labor union strike is rooted in the pursuit of fair wages and working conditions - as a story of the innocent Good People against the Evil Empire paradigm. But we should take a step back and ask ourselves: Are these strikes really about fairness, or are they something far more devious?
Who are the Good Guys, and who are the Bad Ones? Maybe it is all evil in their own ways?
The High-Paid Martyrs
Having worked in and around labor unions throughout my career, and having friends in various unions, I might have a warped perspective. Yet, it is hard to muster sympathy for workers who are already making big salaries that many Americans can only dream of. When highly paid workers strike for more, it raises serious questions about the motives.
For instance, dock workers and airline staff often enjoy six-figure incomes, comprehensive benefits, and job security that is practically unparalleled. Auto workers, too, receive substantial paychecks, not to mention hefty overtime pay, and robust union protections. Yet, they strike, demanding even more.
It is like watching someone with a five-course meal complain about the garnish while others are scrounging for scraps. This is not to say that workers should not fight for their rights, but at what point does the fight for fairness turn into a quest for more than a fair share?
The interesting part here is the cascading effects. The higher wages and greater benefits do not just magically appear. Those increased costs are passed along, right along to the poor people that feel again the pinch of higher costs. Unfortunately, this time it is not because of the big rich companies we like to condemn, it is the middle rich that are on the labor union strike line fighting - in effect - to make the poor people poorer.
Management Role in the Striking Cycle
Of course, it is not just the workers and unions at fault. While it is easy to blame unions for strikes, Management often exacerbates the situation through poor leadership and a lack of transparent communication. Yes, incompetent people in management seem to be the rule sometimes. It is a silly dance that has no winner.
When workers feel undervalued or unheard, their grievances grow, often disproportionately. They see the huge profit numbers, or wish they could go on yet another vacation cruise, so they villainize the company management. The big goal for management is satisfying both the end customer and the stockholders, so they need to push the products and achieve the big profits. That makes the perceived grievances of the workers all the more exaggerated.
Truly, huge profits that are not shared - and huge salaries that are, IMHO, outrageous - are one root cause, and that falls entirely within the greed of top management.
Corporate leadership must acknowledge their part in this dynamic. Fair wages, open dialogue, and genuine attempts to improve working conditions can help prevent the buildup of resentment. But, how do people stop the feelings of being pawns in a larger game?
A labor union strike will often signify a failure of management as much as they do a victory for unions. What if companies invested as much in their people as they do in their profit margins? Could they create a better balance that negates the need for such drastic measures?
Labor Unions: Champions or Charades?
Unions are supposed to be the champions of the working class, but in many cases, they appear to do little more than stir the pot. They collect substantial dues from their members and then orchestrate labor strikes that lead to prolonged contention rather than constructive dialogue. The idea that unions exist to protect workers seems noble, but it is more like being in the business of selling contention.
The actual goals for the unions are terribly off kilter from the things they purport. If they did not create contention (usually subtly), they would soon be forgotten, and workers would begin to wonder why they are paying the high dues. The actual goal of the unions is to justify their own existence, and keep the dues rolling in. They do that by feeding a comradery among workers - against their employers. They actually provide very little benefaction to the whole of society.
Take a look at a recent labor union strike of dock workers. The unions are demanding restrictions on automation, not just better pay. They argue that automation threatens jobs, but is it also true that resisting efficiency drives up costs for everyone? When unions prioritize job security over innovation, the result is higher prices for consumers. Are unions truly serving the best interests of their members and the public, or are they clinging to a self-serving model of labor ignorance?
Truly, the labor unions are far more concerned about themselves, by talking about the microeconomics of the union workers, even to the detriment of the macroeconomics of the society they live in. In other words, their speech talks about the future, but they really want benefit now with little concern for the future. They do not walk the talk.
Protecting And Justifying The Ridiculous
Personal Story. At one point I was working with Ford Motor Company at one of their big factories. We were working to optimize one of the machines, and there were a group of 3 Union workers on the line assigned to help me. They were also doing their jobs, but when I came around, they were to assist if I needed it. These 3 were really nice guys, and in spite of my silly tie, we became friends. They realized that I was there to make their jobs easier, and I think they liked that I was truly interested in their input.
One day I came in and got busy. I asked the one, "Where is Joe?" He pointed to the corner, where I saw a man slumped in a chair, sleeping under a newspaper. Joe came in drunk, so the guys hid him, effectively, while he slept it off.
That is the union. Joe had no business being there, and I am thankful his friends did not let him try to operate the machines. Yet, there he was drawing a full wage while clearly breaking every rule. The others explained that is how the union operates.
Yup, I thought, that is definitely a deprived worker, overworked, with a starving family, and not paid enough. - NO. More like part of a labor union that promotes irresponsibility! I was absolutely disgusted. (If he came into work drunk at my shop, he would be fired on the spot. If he had sense enough to burn a sick day, that is another story, but coming in drunk is out of the question.)
We do not see this part during a labor union strike.
Short-Term Gains vs. Long-Term Consequences
In the short term, a labor union strike can yield higher wages and better conditions for workers. But what about the long-term consequences? By pushing for higher wages and limits in automation, labor unions might win a battle, but they are losing the war. Higher operational costs can drive companies to relocate, cut jobs, outsource, or invest heavily in automation to reduce reliance on human labor altogether.
Consider this: If a company has to choose between paying high wages to a restless workforce OR investing in machines that don't strike, don't demand raises, and don’t need benefits, what choice do you think they will make? The pushback against automation might save a few jobs for the moment, but the demand is pushing even harder to have those very jobs go obsolete in the future. Call it shooting yourself in the foot.
As I look back, I think the Greyhound drivers strike of many years ago - though really ugly at times - was the best result. All the striking workers were tossed to the curb, and people who were just happy to have a good job were hired. (I am over simplifying.)
Anyway, all the union bosses and all the dues they received did a whole lot of good. I have often wondered if the fired drivers still think the idea of a labor union strike is still the way to go. I would love to know more of the individual stories from the striking workers. I mean really know, because I am sure there is a lot they will not admit.
The Mindset of Striking Workers
Why do union workers in well-paying jobs feel justified in striking? Part of it may be human nature — a desire for more, driven by comparisons to those they perceive as benefiting from their efforts. It is easy to forget how well-off one is when constantly measuring against executives making much more.
Unions also promote a strong comradery among members. Association and belonging is a positive force, mostly, but it can - and is - also manipulated to create a labor union strike.
However, there is another layer to this: the collective mindset fostered by labor unions. When unions create an "us versus them" mentality, it becomes easier for workers to view their actions as just. If they feel like they are letting down their fellow worker, the motivation to overlook the roots is powerful. The animosity towards management and the perceived greed of corporations overshadow introspection about the demands. The unions feed that, and subtly stimulate the contention and unrest to justify their own existence.
While it sounds purposefully subversive, it is actually quite natural. Because it feeds on some basic human characteristics, it is easy for people to justify.
We can say similar things about the other side of the coin. Management knows the contentious side of the unions, so they have very little motivation to go the extra mile with the union workers. Rather than rising above the "us versus them" they feed it. They are in a position that anything they provide will not be enough when it comes time for the next contract bargaining. Whether that is true or not is largely a matter of perception - yet management does not have the little union boss devil on a shoulder saying that their high paying job is not enough. Instead, they have the other little devil making the most of high profits and justifying a ridiculous salary.
Labor unions may start the tiffs, but (generally speaking) management plays right into the fight. I do not see an innocent party.
Solutions For Labor Strikes
We do not have to think very long about how to find real solutions. The truth is, everything in this life is temporary, and the world is so much more pleasant when we are grateful, than when we are forever wanting more. That is true for both workers and management - especially in context of a labor union strike.
Secondly, both workers and management would do themselves a huge favor by looking at each other as a team to achieving prosperity for all. If you need an opponent, make that your competition. We all have a role to play and if we do it well, together, without the added social complexity of animosity through a third party (unions), then great things can be achieved.
Yes, to get there, management needs (generally speaking) do a much better job of looking out for the workers, and workers need to give a lot more gratitude for the opportunity they have. I know, it all sounds so idealistic. However, the dance is a whole lot more pleasant when we forgive the missteps, and encourage one another to keep dancing.
The solution is working together for the common goal of advancing the company. That is it. BUT, I know the comments below will so fill with "but if ...." I suppose it is human nature to avoid the most pleasant path by suspicion of others. Truly, that is sad.
The Final Questions
As we ponder the implications of these labor strikes, consider the broader picture. Are we as a society encouraging a cycle of greed and contention, or are we working toward a more equitable and efficient future?
I suppose the Labor Union strike will continue to be a part of the landscape, but how do we make them about something other than animosity or holding customers hostage? How can we take the stupidity of self-sabotage out of the equation? (Yes, I do mean for both the labor union workers and management.)
Next time we hear about a labor union strike, perhaps the question should not be whether the workers are right or wrong. Maybe we should ask, "How can we foster a workplace environment where a labor union strike is a last resort rather than a go-to strategy?" It is a question worth grappling with.