Labor unions were formed to address unsafe working conditions and the lack of protections for workers. However, according to our guest Ebie Lynch, they have become overly politicized and less tolerant of members who hold different views.
Ms. Lynch explains the genesis of labor unions in the United States. “When [unions] are done right, [they] are a great thing for society. That’s what we need in all facets of union life,” she says.
However, Ms. Lynch believes the unions have evolved over the years, and some of the old setups are no longer working for the current demographics. When unions were formed, the literacy rate was a lot lower than it is today, so there was actually a need to help the employees read and understand the regulations, which is not the case today, according to Ms. Lynch.
“We used to say, well, the corporations are doing this against us, the corporations are doing this against us. And yet, that’s exactly what most unions have become—the corporations that go against the members,” said Ms. Lynch.
Today, Ms. Lynch also talks to Steve about why she left the union and what changes are needed to bring unions back on track to better represent their members.
