Les Jones

Economics > Orson Scott Card on the US Airways Strike Last Christmas

Unions did a lot of good in the early part of the 20th century, and even today they give employees a way to negotiate contracts from a strong position. Unfortunately unions have gained a reputation for doing dumb, counter-productive things that hurt their industries, their customers, and ultimately the workers they're supposed to help. Orson Scott Card points out the dumb side of unions in the US Airways strikes this past December:

First of all, you have to know when to go on strike. If your employer is making money but labor is not getting its fair share, and you don't have a contract in place, then it makes sense to strike.

If you have a contract, but strike anyway, then why should management ever negotiate with you? You don't keep your word -- or your union doesn't really speak for you. And if your company is going bankrupt -- and has submitted that bankruptcy to the courts, so you know they're not faking -- then what kind of stupid do you have to be to go on strike?

I had a friend who worked for an airline until a few years ago. One year he gave me a free ticket so I could go to Richmond for New Year's, but he warned me that there was talk of a sickout, so I should leave a day early just in case. Fair enough - I was getting a free ticket anyway - but if I had paid for a ticket and my travel plans had been ruined by a sickout, I would never have flown that airline again And knowing what I know now, I doubt I ever will fly them or USAirways. Why take the chance? The unions at those two airlies have proven that they're willing to hold passengers' holidays hostage as a negotiating tactic.