Power Is As Power Does

Posted at February 28, 2011

Public sector union members in Wisconsin are loudly protesting to uphold their right to collectively bargain, or to unionize. It seems absurd that the legislature of Wisconsin, the “Republican” legislature, believes it can take away such a fundamental right. As much as I support the right, I will also add that collective bargaining “power” is subject to the same abuse as the power wielded by employers. I have never been a great fan of unions because all too often their power is used at the expense of consumers…and in the case of teachers’ unions, those would be the students, i.e., our children. If a union uses its collective bargaining power to keep bad teachers in their jobs, then it is an abuse of power, pure and simple. Just like if an auto union uses its collective bargaining power to make U.S. car manufacturers uncompetitive in a global market, then it is an abuse of that power and ultimately it is their own members who are hurt. Yes I stand with the protesters in Wisconsin who are refusing to allow this Republican legislative power play to deny them a fundamental right. A right whose purpose is to prevent the unbridled power of ownership in a capitalistic society to run rampant over those who do the hard work that creates value for all stakeholders in any public or private enterprise. However, it would serve the greater good if unions, as well as employers and owners, would remember to use their power responsibly.