[Jewelry making - Article 00021] - Re: [Orchid] Should Goldsmiths Unionize/Organize

[Judy Willingham]

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Hello Orchidland,

    This is an interesting question. I live in a "right to work" state,
    ie. virtually no unions. The unions that do exist are based on
    licensed employment, like plumbers, electricians, carpenters,
    teachers, and so forth. City codes require that such work be done
    by licensed people, and it's enforced by the code inspectors. The
    city codes were developed in response to shoddy work that resulted
    in fire or structure failure. (I'm not sure how the teachers got
    into the act, but there is a state requirement that they be
    certified and tested before they can be hired to teach.) 

    My point is that these codes do offer protection of the public
    safety and health. It's pretty unlikely that a shoddy piece of
    jewelry is going to cause a problem to the public welfare. While I
    think goldsmiths' skill deserves far better pay than it generally
    brings, I doubt there is support from the general public for a
    union. 

    Batya Stark's statement, 

          "The best way for any of us to protect our work is to get
          better at what we do. It is our creativity and our skills
          which will protect us, not a union or a government
          regulation." tells it like it is.

Judy in Kansas

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