Op-Ed (Robert Kelsey): Strong-Arm Tactic Wrong Approach for Unions to Grow Membership – During the pandemic years, many of us learned firsthand the critical role that supply chains play in our economy and our families’ lives. Before then, most Americans didn’t think much about the complex logistics and transportation machinery that hums along in the background and powers our nation’s prosperity. The threat to our shipping network is not over, however. Large strikes and aggressive tactics by the Teamsters labor union – including here in Illinois – could involve blocking delivery trucks.
These strikes, if they happen, would be counterproductive, irresponsible, and possibly even illegal. While I care deeply about working people and proudly spent 27 years in the Pipefitters Local 597, strong arm tactics are not an effective way for unions to make their voice heard. It’s time to ratchet down the temperature and stop such tactics from being deployed in Illinois.
The core of this problem – and the reason I don’t support these sorts of strikes – is that national unions like the Teamsters are increasingly fixated on targeting large employers that have a significant number of non-union employees. This is wrong. I strongly support the right of peaceful demonstrations, picket lines and other First Amendment free speech activities but these strong-arm tactics are wrong,
The first priority for labor unions should be the interests of the workers they represent. Instead, many of these big unions seem more concerned with expanding their dues-paying membership rolls by inflicting pain on big corporations. This leaves ordinary American families caught in the crossfire.
We’ve already seen this aggressive shift in union tactics across the country. The Teamsters have been caught offering $1,000/week strike pay, but only if the striking worker fills out a union membership application. Don’t get me wrong, there’s nothing wrong with strike pay, but tying it to union membership is unethical and likely a violation of the National Labor Relations Act (NLRA). After all, it compromises a worker’s right to freely choose whether or not to join a union. The NLRA is meant to protect working people from this sort of pressure, ensuring that any decision to join a union is a genuine one, not a coerced one. As the Supreme Court made clear in 1973, unions aren’t allowed to use financial incentives to compel membership.
Moreover, aggressive strikes and blockages raise serious questions about transparency. When pickets go up thanks to financial incentives rather than genuine worker sentiment, how can we tell the difference between a real, grievance fueled protest and an orchestrated one?
Not only does this approach complicate negotiations, it can have long-lasting effects that hurt the very workers unions claim to champion. We’ve seen examples where highly aggressive union tactics led to rising labor costs and caused businesses like UPS to cut thousands of jobs, leaving many hardworking men and women suddenly unemployed. That is not a win for workers.
Here in Illinois, this risk is very real. It’s looking like the Teamsters will deploy these aggressive tactics by targeting Amazon facilities on Prime Day in July. This would be in spite of their failed attempt to disrupt Amazon during last year’s holiday rush. Let’s be real – these high-pressure methods, meant to exact as much pain on companies as possible, isn’t going to win hearts and minds. Especially if unions are seen as having “paid off” protesters in exchange for union membership.
As a union man myself, I support working people but there is a right way and a wrong way to stand up for workers. Strong-arm tactics that disrupt commerce and undermine trust between workers and employers aren’t the right way. As someone who spent nearly three decades working with my hands and relying on the strength and integrity of a union, I respect the role organized labor can play. But that role must be exercised with responsibility, fairness, and integrity.
Robert Kelsey is a retired Pipefitter and was a member of Local 597 for 27 years. He currently serves as the Berwyn Township Republican Committeeman.
Op-Ed (Robert Kelsey): Strong-Arm Tactic Wrong Approach for Unions to Grow Membership
