Why does the union hall still display the old black and white pictures of our Union on strike with AA (in the 50’s I presume) portraying men holding billy clubs in protest. What message are we trying to send to our members in today’s time? Is the Union glorifying this mentality? I understand the mentality back then and disagree with those tactics then and now. Any honest protest should be done without the threat of violence and intimidation by any side, but rather use, to the point truthful and intelligible statements that reflect the situation as it stands. I say take down the old way of thinking (the old pictures) and bring in examples of peaceful and successful demonstrations. There are many examples in history that portray peaceful protests. Let’s use one of them for a change. Please explain why I am wrong in this thinking.
Respectfully;
Mark Harrison, 1B Crew Chief
The history of labor is important, whether it is good or bad, because we learn from past victories and defeats. TWU officers and stewards prepare for arbitration by reading past decisions. Many times we settle grievances locally because we point out the company’s past practice.
The man in picture to which you are referring is Jim Hale. I called and ask him about the event that is portrayed in the picture. The year was 1968 and TWU was on strike at American Airlines. The members had to build fires in 50 gallon barrels because it was cold and miserable. There were rumors of scabs that might cross the picket line. Jim said: “I was a young man and the bat was meant to intimidate. But, actually it did duty as a cane because my ankles were sore from walking picket for two weeks. Although we lost the pay we would have collected for those two weeks, we gained enough improvements in the contract that it did pay off in the end to go on strike.” Jim was always involved with the TWU from volunteering help in any way, to becoming the Local’s Treasurer and served in that office until he retired.
Labor has evolved in many different ways. Today the union settles most problems with grievances, arbitration or contract negotiations. However, there was a day when the only way a union could make positive change was to strike for a contract or hold a “wildcat strike” when someone had been treated unjustly. Sometimes companies would hire people to break up a picket line and you would lose if you did not fight back.
You will find members today who think we should have “wildcat strikes” again and other members that are glad it is past us. However, we should never forget those people before us who fought for change even in the face of violence, because they cleared the way for Labor to enjoy the peaceful and successful demonstrations we have today.
Rick Mullings
TWU Organizer