Celestina Ripley
3. Why does America still need labor unions?
A single grain of sand contributes to the giant seashore. A single drop of water helps to make the immense oceans. One distrubance in a pond can cause numerous ripples to recreate the glass-like top of the lake into an undualting force. A single seed can be planted and grow to produce hundreds of offspring once it grows into a mighty oak. One person can make a rally cry motivating those around to demand a change for the better. So it is with labor unions: all it takes is one to unite all others. One voice was all that was needed to change the heartless and thankless workplace into an environment that appreciates the worker and understands the demands placed on them. One heart was all that was needed to feel the pain of those suffering around them trying to make a living in conditions that would beat them back into submission. While it may not have been easy and trials were rough, those that persevered bettered all conditions for future generations. Labor unions, however, are by no means finished. They still need to be present in our American society to provide more change towards equality and improvement and serve as an imminent savior waiting in the wings if anything detrimental should happen to its dearest possession: the life of the worker. They need to promise to be there when the going gets tough and watch over those who wish to taint the system. Most importantly, unions need to consider the motivations of the past for advancement into the future.
When the union movement first strated, working conditions in the United States were to the point of being barbaric, ferocious, and decrepit to say the least. An unseen and unknown owner of a giant company would order those in the positions beneath to oppress the workers for one thing: the almighty dollar that comes from increased output. Many methods were attempted to achieve this selfish greed. Some of those included barring the gates of entry and exit (causing no way of exit in case of a fire which lead to thousands of deaths), minimizing times for meals (leading to exhaustion and dehydration of the workers), closing windows to keep the workers focuses (when they were actually restricting proper ventilation), employing children and women for cheaper labor (though they did equal if not more work than men), and placing hellish work hours on those employed (sometimes even double or triple what a regular work week is in today's society). Injuries were often a common occurrence with limbs and lives lost due to fast moving machines. Those who lived through these injuries were forever scarred physically and mentally with the reminder of their oppression. Illnesses were ramptant from lint clogging lungs, clattering machines stealing the ability to hear, and toxic air poisoning the breathing passages of anyone who took a breath. All of these conditions seemed to dictate an inevitable unrest among those who were employed.
A small voice could be heard among the masses when the feelings of unrest were first developed concerning the previously stated working conditions. That voice rallied those who were too scared to speak individually for fear of persecution under a uniting flag promising a protection of grouping. The beginning of the union movement was tumultuous to say the least with legislation passed by Congress hindering their efforts and promoting the company giants, blacklists being passed around the businesses pointing an accusing finger at those who wanted change and barring them from unemployment, and even physical and verbal persecution by those in charge. Time was on the unions' side, however, and, after the endurance of all these hardships and many more, the unions championed their cause. They broke through the barriers placed up through the decades and demanded changes to be make. While it may have taken time, the labor unions finally achieved their goal and demonstrated what they really wanted all along in terms of equality and comfort in any working conditions. They became organized after a few stumbles and learned from their past mistakes. Most importantly, the unions never forgot the motivation of that small voice that demanded a change to be made for the improvement of the workplace and the overall life of an employee. Speaking in terms of today's society, that one voice has grown into a resounding shout comprised of millions of union member breathing life into those who have passed on.
Many may think that our remarkable change from the workplace of a century ago to now shows that unions have done their job and are now merely superficial groupings. They lay stake to the claim that since the conditions have changed, there is nothing left to improve upon. Their opinion and this assumption is completely erroneous and dejecting. Change is a constant struggle to keep advancing and oppose regression into the promitive circumstances. It is present in all facets and niches of surrounding enviroments both natural and manmade and can certainly apply to labor unions. Unions today are more important than they have ever been for many reasons.
The first reason that unions are of importance today is the security that they provide for future generations. They seem to be a guiding force that promises a workplace that will only get better and a hope for continual advancement. Unions provide those who work for a living with the faith that there will always be a backing strength wanting to promote their intentions and better their lives. They seem to inspire us to look into the past and learn from those that came before us that change is possible and a group will always give power to the individual.
Another reason that unions are of importance is to build on the things that they have already established. Unions have contributed to such great things as a diverse workplace that avoids bias, equal pay for equal work, pensions in retirement that can assure a comfortable life after dedicating time in the workplace, reasonable hours that allow someone to thrive outside of the workplace allowing for better productivity, more healthy and safe working conditions for all jobs, and so on. The improvements that have graced our society through unions are too numerous to count, but they are by no means finished. It is the continual job of the union to seek out those narrow-minded employers who oppress their workers and show them the error of their ways. It is also their job to publicize those employers who treat their employees as civilized human beings rather then work horses and set them as an example for the world.
Finally, unions are of importance in America today for the purpose of continuing a legacy. A wise individual once stated that if we do not learn history, it is doomed to repeat itself. We must always consider the intentions and motivations of our ancestors no matter what field they were in or what cause they championed. We must respect their efforts and improve on their ways with the hopes of continuing their work. One of the most disrespectful things to do for those who have tried in the past is to forget their efforts and let them only grace the pages of our history books rather then the brain cells of our mind. Unions document past efforts and seem to promise that the memories and triumphs of the past will always provide impetus for the present and future.
All it
takes is one voice to demonstrate a wish and inspire others. All one needs to
do is stand up for what they believe is right and have the motivation to what
to change the present from the past and look forward to the future. Union
members don't dedicate their sweat, blood, tears, and lives for the glory. They
don't do it for the ability to become famous in the eyes of another and to be
elevated on a seemingly unrealistic pedestal. Union members demonstrate their
calling because of the satisfaction of change and improvement. They do it to
inspire others to want to modify uncomfortable conditions without the hindrance
of society's current barriers. Once you plant a garden, you do not leave it to
grow unattended. You nuture it to provide bountiful harvests and luscious
fruits of your labors. So it is with a union. The garden of labor still has
fruit that is growing and the gardener, the union, must kee a constant watch
that nothing detrimental will occur. This is all from the wishes of one, one
who stood up, one who wanted to make a change for the better.