Scribbling Monk

My first real job in mainstream journalism included an education in union realities. A couple of weeks after starting my job at a large newspaper I received a post card from the Guild advising me that I had one week to join the union or I'd be fired. A couple of quick phone calls verified several key points: My employer would have to fire me by union agreement if I didn't join the union. Michigan didn't protect the right of workers to not be represented by a union. I had to pay union dues even though I had independently negotiated my pay outside and well above union minimums.

Don't get me wrong, unions served, and may some day again serve, an important purpose. But today a video at UnionFacts.com speaks well for me and lots of other workers.