Health Insurance / Picket Lines

[CuppaJoe]

I crossed a picket line today, repeatedly. I’m not feeling ashamed enough; I come from a union family and there was a time when I wouldn’t cross. Security guards are on strike because they can’t afford to buy the health insurance coverage "offered" to them. Not sure how many buildings are affected; but if no one crossed, it could shut down the financial district. Upon approaching the building, of course I saw the pickets, many of whom I know well. It was so odd because they greeted me pleasantly. I apologized to the head of security and said I'm "with" them; he said he had to slip in the back door, he’s management.

 

[Beststash]

Cuppajoe - I wouldn't feel too bad, your heart is in the right place.

I retired as a regional manager had to deal with 7 different local presidents for a while. They were some of the finest individuals I have ever met. When we were in contract negotiations, I always wished the best for all the unions employees because I knew that whatever benefits they were able to acquire we in middle management would also benefit.
Sadly I had peers that would go out of their way to cross the picket line - I guess as a way of making a statement - well in my opinion they did indeed make a statement. When performance appraisal time came I never had a problem remembering those that had so little regard for those that were the our face to the customer every day. Sure there are bad sides to the union, just like there are bad sides to management but I always considered each of us a member of the team with common goals and interests.
A fact that I always like to bring up at our skip level meetings - the executives have contracts, the union workers have contracts, the only ones that don't have a contract are management....I think there is a message there somewhere.

Peace

 

[CuppaJoe]

Thanks for that nice reply, BestStash, turns out they are only striking against the companies that employ the security guards; even so, can’t help thinking they indirectly work for me, as their salaries are included in the rent the businesses in the building pay. Loved your comments about union presidents as my late dear aunt ended her career as pres. of her local. I remember my dad hated it when he was promoted to management; it really isn’t fair.