Scabs and crossing picket lines [View all]
I figured this would be a good day to talk about my personal feelings around all that.
To start with, I am a nurse and a union member. Our union doesn't require membership to get the benefits of union representation. I think that is a big mistake. So, I pay the dues that aren't mandatory, because for me, they are. I come from a blue collar, union family and I spent many a year as a nurse in "right to work" states (translation - no unions and screw you) so I know the value of a union, even a weak union.
Many years ago, when I was a travel nurse, I use to get offers to work strikes. The money was astounding. They could have offered me 100 times what they did and I wouldn't have done it. My soul wouldn't be able to handle that stain. At the time, I was single and not in great need. I'm not single now, but not in great need, so I wouldn't be a scab for all the money in the world. But here's the thing. I don't know what those people who choose to cross picket lines and work during a strike are dealing with. I don't know what the people taking the scab positions are dealing with. They might be starving, with starving children. I will not judge them. Now, if a person doesn't need the money, I ask that you do a gut check, no, three or four gut checks before choosing to be a scab.
Crossing a picket line. I have never and I will never (Goddess willing) cross a picket line. I hope that anyone who can find alternatives will choose not to cross the picket line. But again, what do I know about the person crossing the picket line? Not one single thing. I will not judge but I will ask you to try to find alternatives. The only way to get management to the table is to bring them to their knees. And these workers need to get back to work as soon as they can.
Only through solidarity can we truly effect change.
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