Birth of an Activist
One of the most difficult things about writing this column has been trying to find subjects that I can easily put into words so that you, the reader, can understand and gain insight from the subject matter. This is very difficult because I am not a professional writer.
Some of my ideas come from simply wanting to inform about union issues and union pride, while others come from events that I feel we as members need to be aware of. This column is the result of a question that I have been asked many times, what has made me into an activist for this union? I will try to give some greater background about who I am.
I was born into a home where my father was a warehouse worker in both union and non-union shops. He was a quiet man who was not an activist in any way. However, he wanted for his family what all of us continue to strive for, to provide our families a comfortable home, and the monetary resources to achieve a stable future.
The influence that my father instilled in me was take pride in all things that you did. It does not matter if you are a Doctor or just a laborer, always be proud of the work you do. I maintain that attitude today.
So what made me into what some refer to as a “radical”? Two events that occurred in sixth grade had a profound effect on me. Having to write a convincing argument to vote for George Wallace for President, and not being chosen to attend the first earth day protest at the University of Minnesota.
Through these two events I learned that if you have an opinion about something, especially if it is one that you feel very strongly about, you need to do your very best to show your passion and belief as to why others should also believe your thoughts.
This may explain my activities as to politics and other social issues, but what about my views on labor.
My strong stand on labor issues can be traced back to the pride I have for my father, but also to my first membership in a labor union. My first union steward was an older man by the name of Al Schnobrich. He was a thin and slight man with white hair and thick glasses. However, cross the line on the union, the war was on.
As a member of Teamsters local 638, joint council 32, you carried your union pride strongly. The warehouse I worked was organized because of the intimidation and fear brought on us by the president of the company. This was in the late seventies, and cameras were everywhere in our warehouse. A co-worker was helping to load a truck and he dropped a box of product. Within minutes, he was fired for this infraction, and our contact with the teamsters was made.
There were times I questioned if I really was getting a better deal working with this union. After all, there were members who did less work, but we all received the same rate of pay. When I would bring this up, Al would remind me of one of my slogans, “We are in this together. What benefits one, will benefit all.” I have held onto that belief for almost forty years.
I have been involved on many strikes. Some affected my job directly, but the strike I remember most concerned a company in northeast Minneapolis in 1982. The company was the Bureau of Engraving and they were involved in a work stoppage that had been going on for about six weeks, when the teamsters and all other unions in Minneapolis asked there members to join the ranks of the workers and hold this company accountable and prevent the use of scabs.
This was a confrontational strike during the summer, and as the temperature grew warmer, so did the anger of the men and women on strike. There were days when there were over 500 supporters walking the line and shutting down Broadway and Industrial Boulevard from all traffic. The scabs, which were brave enough to cross the line, were met with an onslaught of rocks, sticks and other weapons that we could muster to hold them off. After all, if they were going to steal a fellow brothers or sisters job they would feel some fear and anger for doing it. All we were trying to do was trying to protect these members’ jobs from being stolen.
Each day, many of us on the line were arrested for infractions ranging from disobeying police and damage to property. Not everything we did was right, but it was done for a reason. Sometimes, we as members can go too far in trying to protect what is rightfully ours. I physically supported the strike and the line until the day that one of the strikers had reached his breaking point. In a moment of unspeakable anger, he took his car and followed a scab on the freeway. In traffic as the scab rode his motorcycle, he was first shot at and then was run off the road. He survived, but the worker was imprisoned for attempted murder. After this occurred, the community support for the strikers diminished, and attorney Leonard Lindquist was asked by Mayor Don Fraser to intervene and try to calm the strikers. Within weeks the matter was settled.
With this in mind, we must decide for ourselves how far we would go to protect our jobs and our way of life.
Trust me; our right to strike is still an important piece of our arsenal. But each of us must realize the implications that go along with it. When you go on strike, YOU DO NOT GET PAID! You can’t use your vacation or sick time. You can’t look at it as a vacation. It is a time of total and complete uncertainty. Before you vote to strike remember this.
However, if the cause is just, remember what I told our union leaders last November as our members at Regina Hospital in Hastings were on strike.
I was amazed that one day because the temperature and wind had dropped to miserable levels (welcome to Minnesota!) they, along with the members decided to go home because it was too cold.
In anger, I reminded our union leaders of my adage on strike lines. I said with pride and anger, “It’s never too cold, hot, rainy, snowy or anything else that should keep you off this line. But it will be a lot colder if you let ONE DAMN SCAB TAKE ONE OF OUR JOBS!” I did use a few more expletives, but I will refrain from them here.
My pride in being a union worker is strong. It is in my blood and in each breath I take. I scream it on the picket lines and wear it proudly each day. Anytime I see a worker or an individual wronged, if it is in my power to correct it, I will be there. As I stated in the column “Pragmatism and Principles”, until the day arrives that each of us will not have to decide between food or rent, housing or health insurance. When we all enjoy a living wage and all in this nation and our world share without want, I will remain an activist and if needed, a radical until the day I die.
Become an activist for your union! The union is about all of us! We must be a united and educated front in order to achieve the results that will benefit all of us!
Stay strong and united brothers and sisters, and as always;
Solidarity Today! Solidarity Tomorrow! Solidarity Always!...
In ALL Ways!!!
Mark Freeman
Methodist Hospital