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Straight
Track #244
| Labor Day
Charlie Gebhardt, Investigator
Hoey & Farina
info@hoeyfarina.com
888.425.1212 |
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Summer is ending. Kids are back to school. The football
season is about to begin. Baseball teams are lining up for the World
Series. Leaves will soon be changing color. Another Labor Day weekend
has come and gone.
As a railroader, a member of the labor work force, did
you feel a part of Labor Day or was it simply a reason to get in one
last picnic?
A LITTLE LABOR DAY HISTORY
Back in the 19th century, men like Matthew McGuire, a
member of the Central Labor Union in New York and one of the gentlemen
credited with starting Labor Day, thought there should be a day to
recognize and appreciate the efforts of laborers in making this country
great,
"…who from rude nature have delved and carved all the
grandeur we behold."
Laborers are the backbone of America. They haven't
always received credit where credit is due. They haven't always had the
best work conditions or the best pay. Over the years improvements have
been seen, though, because of laborers uniting together.
Railroad unions are known as brotherhoods. Within the
union brotherhood, we unite and share with each other knowledge of our
work experiences within the forum of your union meetings.
DON'T MISS YOUR OPPORTUNITY
I attend several union meetings every month. Whether it
is a 40 man or a 140 man unit, the norm is from under quorum to six or
eight members. In other words, it's usually the officers, or as I like
to refer to them as - "the choir,” who show up for the meetings.
It's understood not everyone has the time off to attend
a meeting. And when you do have off, sometime things need to be done
around your home or other circumstances pop-up. The problem is, when you
miss a union meeting you miss an opportunity to hear about important
issues concerning all facets of your job. You miss an opportunity to be
involved in discussions regarding safety concerns not being addressed or
harassment issues on your property. You miss an opportunity to provide
your input. And in a brotherhood, everyone's input – including yours -
is necessary.
When I speak at a union meeting, too often I really have
something important to pass on concerning injuries or the FELA law that
would be excellent advice to members. When I look around the room,
however, all I see is the "choir.” The officers do their best to try to
pass on this information to the members. And the officers hear some of
your expressions out on the property and try to relay them at the
meetings. But it's not the same. Things come across much better when
they're discussed first hand. When you attend a meeting, what you have
to share might help a fellow railroader also attending the meeting and
vise versa.
When you attend your union meetings, you leave fortified
with the information gathered there knowing what to do in the various
instances of your employment complexities.
EVEN HONEST ABE UNDERSTOOD
President Abraham Lincoln once said,
"There is no America without labor, and to fleece the
one is to rob the other."
With another Labor Day having just past, take a moment
to realize you are a part of the labor work force. Know that your work
matters and your voice matters. Support your union. Attend your union
meetings. I look forward to speaking with you at your next union
meeting.
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