As part of our “Letters from The Rank and File” series, an editorial series which publishes the ideas and opinions from area union members, below is a letter written by rank and file union member Douglas Creighton of Steamfitters Local 420 in Philadelphia stating his views on how unions can best partner with communities through charitable endeavors to both make a difference in our communities and improve our public image as unions. Kudos to Douglas, whose ideas mirror those of PhillyLabor.com on these very important issues!
THE SITUATION
My name is Douglas Creighton, I am 34 years old and am a proud union member of the UA, Local 420 Steamfitters Union, based out of Philadelphia in good standing for 10 years. Having come from generations of family union members I believe deeply in the core values that unions abide. I understand the importance of unions and the role they played and continue to play in shaping this great country. It is antagonizing for me to watch all the hard work and sacrifice our founding fathers and fellow brothers have endured over the years, only to be undone slowly by conservative/republican ideology and corporate greed manipulating our countries public opinion.
My rationale for this letter is to address the demonization of unions in America from both the private and public sectors and offer a possible new directional step. My goal is to change the way unions are perpetually viewed by the country as a whole.
Since this nation’s economy has tanked, public sector unions are now even being targeted because of the fiscal irresponsibility of elected government officials. Unions across this nation have watched their market share along with membership decline for a number of reasons. The days of strong arm tactics, although maybe once necessary for the times, are long gone and have tarnished labor unions public image. Our political clout has diminished to the point of near extinction. Labor board decisions and rulings have single handedly destroyed the power of the picket line initiating the double gate system, which, stemmed from the infamous J. Leon Altemose case, years back for which many reference as a starting point for the demonization of unions throughout the Philadelphia region
MY VISION
With that being said, my ideology between unions and community charities has been born. Typically unions today only receive publicity when backing a political candidate, rallying in numbers to show strength, blowing up rats to resemble the non-union competition, setting up picket lines to object in- justices, or striking to apply pressure on collectively bargaining.
My vision or directional step is for unions in the future to make a commitment to increase participation and better promote the various charitable and community based endeavors that we support which will, in turn, yield positive effects, high visibility along with a strong community presence. It’s my opinion that we need to evolve into a necessity for communities. I believe if we don’t change the way people in this country view public and private sector unions, we will cease to exist. I understand the need to vote politicians in office that push legislation that supports our cause but I also feel that as we continually lose our market share to cheap labor, paired with negative public opinion, we may also become obsolete to candidates looking for votes. Unions have been under attack for decades now with republicans and corporations slowly stripping us of our rights and demonizing the united way that we stand. If the public starts to embrace our humanitarian presence community by community, I am sure we will start undoing the negative reputation that seems to have picked up momentum for the last 10 years.
I have addressed this issue with my own Steamfitter’s Local 420 who in return overwhelmingly agreed. The member’s donation of $5,000.00 to a Children’s Tumor Foundation sponsored event (NF Walk of Philadelphia which takes place in Doylestown, PA on June 22, 2013) spoke volumes of their commitment to helping their own community and in turn creating a positive presence in a predominately non-union work area. I believe that it’s doing these type things that will have communities buzzing with positive things to say ultimately putting people’s perspective on unions at a much needed higher ground. I can’t wait to see the day when unions dominate news channels with stories of heroic presences in communities rather than assembling/rallying/striking to only better our own. I am fully aware of the need for us to take such actions but believe that charities will overshadow the way we address and or accomplish our goals. We will be hard to defeat if the nation is standing behind us, not just a few politicians we helped get into office. As union membership continues to decline, I believe the need for political candidates to entertain our union’s best interests will follow. Donations made to specifically targeted community events, highly visible, will nullify all preconceived notion of what they “think” or are “told” unions represent. The tax write offs that they produce can be used to fund organized labor friendly candidates. It’s not just about writing a check but more about a hand’s on/personal approach that puts unions across the nation back on the radar while playing the heart strings of all…. not “the few”. It’s time to start a new chapter, perhaps a new trend. Obviously adopting this mentality won’t change things overnight, but it could be a step in the right direction to secure a promising future nationally for generations to come.
MY SON
My apologies for being long winded about my passionate vision of unions employing community charities as public relation building blocks that I believe shows unparalleled promise. Just over two years ago, my son Dimitri was diagnosed with NF1. NF1 (which is also known as neurofibromatosis) is basically a genetic disorder that can ravage children and adults alike. Though symptoms can widely vary, most victims’ quality of life are negatively impacted by the condition, some much worse than others. Patient’s lives can become riddled by tumors that develop throughout the nervous system, blindness, deformity, skeletal growth issues, learning disabilities, and in horrific cases death. Obviously this stunning news crushed my family to say the least. Dimitri has seen many tough days this past year and a half with his successful chemotherapy campaign, shrinking/stabilizing the optic nerve glioma (brain tumor) he was born with. Though I have been so fortunate to be able to report that, some are not as lucky to do so. It is my goal to raise awareness and funding for NF research through Children’s Tumor Foundation. Now that my family’s life isn’t consumed by hospital life and eternity like chemo trips, it is now my goal to aggressively make a difference and try to help those whom need it most.
I respectively address this governing body and humbly request your support to embrace what hopefully can become the start of a partnership or new beginning. I would be honored to have the United Association take a leading role in our NF Walk of Philadelphia charity in June. Last year this event shattered expectations and broke national records in its Pennsylvania debut. This is where I believe we, as unions, need to venture. Charities that yield high visibility, impact the lives of many, fiscally responsible, have great transparency, and ultimately strum the heart strings of communities. I foresee these having the greatest impact of all benefiting communities and unions as a whole.
I thank you for your time and consideration,
Douglas P. Creighton
Steamfitters Local 420
Philadelphia
