Glass Act

…when you could count on a union to defend your best interests against greedy, uncaring corporation. They stood between the worker and hazardous working conditions, low pay, unfair treatment, and exploitation.

At some point, "some" unions have become archaic institutions, set up to be adversarial even when it is not necessary, and unable to see the trees for the forest.

My union is now standing between me and my desire, i.e., a reduced work schedule that keeps my current benefits intact for 2 years. This is a program that the union approved 4 years ago when it was offered as a cost-cutting measure so the University could avoid layoffs and cutbacks in the workforce.

Their reasoning? Because all of the units on campus are not offering the program to their staff, it would be "unfair" for it be be available to anyone. Also, because it is being taken advantage of by people with $100K+ salaries, the benefit "pool" is unfairly tilted in their favor by this program.

I spoke with the rep from another union on campus, and that union is enthusiastically approving the program for their members. I asked if anyone from my union had consulted with him, and the answer was no. I find this baffling. We're all supposed to be in this together when it comes time to strike or protest the University policies, but not when the University offers a program that is beneficial.

I try not to get aggravated by things I cannot control. I have made my voice heard, but alas, my union has a redwood-tree-sized chip on its shoulder. The fact that they are in contract negotiations at this time does not help, as the union automatically assumes the U is out to rape the workers.

Which may sometimes be true, but not this time. I'm all "GRRRR."

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