Are American labor unions still relevant?
Keyser, W.Va. – By Charlie Meyer Organized, we negotiate. Divided, we beg. Let’s not forget that the demigod of conservatism, Ronald Reagan, once headed the actors’ union, before he, to swipe a line from the film Star Wars, succumbed to the “dark side.” The ability of workers to organize was, and still is, a yardstick which a nation’s freedom is measured by. Communism and fascism became strange bedfellows, as freely elected unions were among the first liberties to go wherever these repressive systems took hold. Ever see a union label in a cheap Chinese suit? My octogenarian father (whom I love more than life itself and who can still run circles around this recipient of AARP junk mail), is a retired engineer. I wasn’t there in the voting booth, but I’ll bet the next round of refreshing adult beverages he voted for “Tricky Dick” Nixon for President all three times. Whenever I go back to New York, his television appears to be locked on the F-word (Fox) News Channel. Maybe it’s broken. Mor
