Steve Fitzgerald went to the Laborers’ Union, Local 1290, picnic on Saturday, 6 Sep, and was warmly welcomed by President and Field Representative - Carlton D. Young. Steve had met Carl earlier and both agree that the unions are necessary for the betterment of the working man and woman. They do not necessarily agree on the amount of government involvement needed. Steve thinks that the government is not on the side of the worker and that the unions would be wise to work more for the worker and rely less on politicians and the government. Carl stays with the party line – but respects another opinion that is in favor of the worker and union power. Both agree that illegal immigration is hurting the American worker and that the laws on immigration need to be tightened up and enforced better.
Business Manager and Secretary Treasurer - Mark R. Nidiffer and Training Director, Bill Marsh and Steve enjoyed a good time at the picnic and had a chance to discuss some ideas concerning ways that Kansas Schools could meld better with the apprenticeship programs for the betterment of the students, the community, and the unions. Bill is a member of several groups that are working to improve cooperation among the agencies involved and is very interested in improving the educational and career opportunities of Kansas youth.
Rick Greeno, Bill Marsh, and Mark R. Nidiffer explain the need for more cooperation between the schools and the apprenticeship programs so that students can get more benefit from the VOTECH training that is being made available in Kansas Schools. As a school board member, Steve was impressed with the fact that the union is very interested in helping the working man and woman to be more productive and in helping to insure that the worker gets the proper recognition and benefits. Kansas VOTECH training must lead to good jobs and the opportunity for students to become more productive members of society. That means getting training that fits in with the union apprenticeship program. The union apprenticeship program is the gold standard for training and school programs should provide students the opportunity to enter the workforce with advanced standing as apprentices.
Rick Greeno, Public Affairs Officer for Local 1290 introduces Steve to the membership at the picnic. He was among a number of other office holders and candidates and was honored to be introduced with them. The membership was very hospitable and engaging. Not shown is Sergeant at Arms, David Langley, who is also from Leavenworth and who encouraged Steve to get in touch with Local 1290 when they met at a VFW function months ago.
Other than Steve, the officeholders and candidates were all Democrats. It is clear that the union is addicted to the Democrat Party at the local, state, and national level and that the Democrats are working to keep that addiction going. Nonetheless, Steve found a number of people there who are willing to listen and consider other possibilities.
Fitzgerald had the following message for Republicans concerning unions: “The Republican Party should not abandon the union movement and labor in general. Unions have a very significant and honorable history in this country and they align well with Conservative Republican values of individual responsibility and private association. The unions can offer an alternative to government intrusion into the economic sphere. Republicans must understand the value that unions bring to the society and the economy and Republicans must find ways to support the unions and workers in general. It is certainly in the unions’ interest to have friends in both parties.
Unions provide their members with significant benefits that help keep workers productive and reduce demands on government. Union health and pension benefits have often succeeded where government programs have failed. People standing up for themselves and banding together in private organizations to help themselves and their communities is a very Republican ideal – and it is what the unions do. “
