Indiana

Look for the Union Label

By Abdul Hakim-Shabazz

Here’s a question.  What do ISTEP, the Indiana Pacers and GM all have in common?  

Give up?  Unions.  Allow me to explain.    

As ISTEP was getting underway, the teacher’s unions started complaining the test was too hard and students were not going to perform well.

Because of NBA player rules, the Pacers were compelled to put up with bad behavior by some of its athletes which drove down attendance and is partly to blame for its current financial woes.

And do I really need to go further with GM and the rest of the American auto industry?

And don’t even get me started on the SEIU and Employee Free Choice Act!

Now I know what you’re thinking, “Abdul you hate unions and your bias is clearly showing.”  I don’t hate unions, but I am not a big fan of them because I think they have outlived their purposes.  

However, I am freely willing to entertain the remote possibility that I may not have all the facts.  So here’s is my question.  In the modern era, say 1980 through today, name me a place or cite me an example of a place that’s gotten better because they unionized.

Post away…

Full post as published by Indiana Barrister on March 11, 2009 (boomark / email).