Once again, my thoughts on Labor Day, from a few years ago …
My father was a union man. So were my uncles and most of my friends who worked at the local auto plant back in the 1970s and 1980s.
But something strange happened as my father advanced in his career. He became so valuable that the company made him a manager. He was no longer part of the union, but instead had “crossed the line” into the company management.
Many thought my dad might suddenly turn on his friends. More importantly, they thought he might ignore the basic things the union membership wanted: Good pay (or some might say just wages), a fair process to participate in work-related issues (a way to appeal a disciplinary matter) and other matters of justice.
My father did none of that. Despite his change to “white collar” he always rooted for what he called the “under dog” in matters. Despite his position of authority, he would always be on the lookout for matters that seemed to align with his Catholic upbringing and perspective.
Many years later, when I took on the task myself as a member of a union and eventually its president, I learned that while much of the headlines surrounding unions tend to focus on major contracts, raises, layoffs and buyouts … the true work of a union man has much more to do with simple matters of justice.
Sticking up for the little guy who may not have much of a voice by himself.
The Catholic Church has always expressed concern for social justice, particularly that of the worker who needs to be treated with dignity. The foundational document most often pointed to as a guiding force is an encyclical by Pope Leo XIII, Rerum Novarum, handed down in 1891
In it, Pope Leo calls for cooperation among the classes — not class warfare.
I love this quote: “Capital cannot do without labor, nor labor without capital. Mutual agreement results in the beauty of good order, while perpetual conflict necessarily produces confusion and savage barbarity.”
In addition to that very broad statement, the Pope insisted workers be paid a fair wage, be permitted to honor the Lord’s day, spend time with family and not be forced to work beyond their strength.
Those were different times, of course, and we are blessed in America to have evolved into a society where such basic work-related issues like the 40-hour work week have become common. But we must not forget that in many places around the globe, workers are not granted such respect. Many people, including children, are over-worked, under paid and often treated like slaves.
None of this is meant to suggest that some organized labor groups – particularly in the U.S. – have not done a disservice to unions by way of illegal activities, corruption and greed. Under questionable leadership, many have aligned themselves with political parties and social issues that often run counter to our basic beliefs as Christians.
It’s a complicated world.
But on this day, especially, we are reminded that no matter what color of collar you wear, we must always see each other – and treat each other – with basic human dignity and respect.
