http://www.dailykos.com/story/2012/05/15/1092027/-Thanks-a-Union-36-Ways-Unions-Have-Improved-Your-Life?detail=email
This is repost of a blog I wrote in winter of last year when the protests against Governor Walker and union busting were gearing up.
Way beyond my wildest expectations, this post actually went viral.
I've decided to post this again here, not to try and prolong the success of it or recycle it, but because I feel it is still very relevant and can't be said enough. Especially with the Wisconsin recall elections less than a month away.
The right has made unions the boogeymen of our time. It is our duty to set the record straight.
Please share this with everyone you know. I don't care about credit. You can put your name on it for all I care. I just want the message out.
Unions are not a bad thing. In fact, we should thank them everyday of our working lives.
God Bless Unions!
Solidarity Forever!
Let's get one thing straight...
Employers and Corporations did not feel generous and decide to give you two days off every week to have a social/personal life. (We now call them weekends). Corporations did not just feel like being nice one day and give their employees paid vacations. CEOs didn't get together in a board room and say "Let's give our employees more rights at work" or "Maybe there should be laws to limit our power over an employee".
Virtually ALL the benefits you have at work, whether you work in the public or private sector, all of the benefits and rights you enjoy everyday are there because unions fought hard and long for them against big business who did everything they could to prevent giving you your rights. Many union leaders and members even lost their lives for things we take for granted today.
The right-wing attack on unions is nothing more than ignorance, lack of education, and propaganda.
If republicans would rather support corporations instead of organized groups of workers working to secure a fair work environment A.K.A a union, I ask them to walk the walk as well. Give up every benefit and right that you use that unions are responsible for.for those of us who are not unionized or had occasion to have a union rep intervene on your behalf against a job related problem safety, wages this might help to better understand what republicans are trying to accomplish by killing them and hopefully those right wing base members see they too bare the brunt of the loss of another form of your voice being heard, voter suppression being the first. recognize we hear those states that produce oil and coal ranting against regulation that is republican driven noise but you don't hear those same states talking about work safety and fair wages and hours, not a republican talking point. sure i understand having a job but what good is it if you die before you can retire and enjoy a pension that you wouldn't get anyway. unions they are for you, republicans they are for business and selves. take a pick!!!
