February 7th, 2007
Have You Ever Been a Labor Union Member?
I have and I come from a Union family. As a child, I remember my father, an active union member, saying we need to fight for our future. My Dad had a third grade formal schooling but had taught himself how to read and write. He ran for a Union Officer position for US steel workers union,but this was the times of Dr. King and George Wallace and not Barrack Obama and Bill Clinton. Heros to white America were Mickey Mantle and Frank Sinatra. No Michael Jordon, and no Ophra. My dad ran but his white opponent won. I was still proud.
I remember a few labor strikes, one lasted over a year.It was quite a family scrifice. We use to wait in line to get government cheese and peanut butter, as a hand out. We still did not know we were poor because every one was in the same boat. Many mining families had to find temporary work.Some gave up their mining work all together. My father’s vision paid off with retirement benefits for him and many black miners that they were pleased with.
I saw a lot being said during the Super Bowl week about poor retired football players living on, in some cases, 150 to 200 dollars per month and no health insurance.This is very sad is it appears the pro football owners and current players do not care about their in danger of living in proverty, brothers. Many of the players played around the time when miners throught out the US were fighting for rights.
I side with the retired players but I have to wonder. If underground miners, many lacking in formal studies, had the foresight and courage to make their union powerful, what’s up with the retired players. The NFL use to make their players spend 4 years in college. Was the union and now retired players too greedy and only concerned about money now, live for today? Worry about tomorrow tomorrow!
Now many of us do not work in mines or play pro football. The life lesson is tp prepare for your rainy day. Consider retirement early and save. You will be under pressure to live for today and worry about tomorrow, tomorrow. The problem is tomorrow may arrive sooner than you think. Be ready, save and plan.
