[Jewelry making - Article 00221] - Re: [Orchid] Should Goldsmiths unionize/organize

[Susannah Garcia]

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Hello Everybody,

    I'm all for protecting the worker - however I don't know that unions
    are the way to do it. Maybe it wouldn't be a bad idea to licence
    jewelers who wanted to open a store, then there would be definite
    standards/levels of work. This would weed out shysters who would
    just want to make a fast buck, because there would be an obvious
    committment to quality. However, getting a law such as this passed
    with chain stores like Wal-Mart and JC Penney most likely fighting
    it would be tricky. 

    I agree with Steve that ultimately we are responsible for our own
    destiny, but there should be laws (c'mon, REAL laws -with teeth)
    governing treatment of employees. All employees, and the standards
    should be nationwide. 

    In Texas, an employer can make you stay as long as they want to; and
    as long as you get two 15 minute breaks, they can deny you the right
    to use the bathroom. At one job, I was forced to work 12 hours (or
    lose my job) and after my 30 minute break (given three hours into my
    shift) I wasn't allowed bathroom breaks. And it was legal - I
    complained to the proper authorities and was informed that my
    employer broke no laws, he simply had bad manners. I quit
    eventually, but what about my coworkers who didn't have the option
    of quitting? They had children to feed, and no time to look for
    better jobs. And really, for low skill levels, all jobs are equally
    mind numbing and humanity dulling - just pick your hell. 

    I'm not campaigning for socialism or a handout, I just think the
    Geneva Convention should apply to low wage jobs. And to get
    something like this rolling would require more a grass-roots push to
    tighten the laws; which ultimately would be better I think than
    unionization. Especially in a state like Texas, which is close to
    Mexico and cheap desperate labor. People willing to work should be
    treated with respect, no matter what job they have. 

    Personally, I am self-employed as an artist-jeweler, but I do hope
    to open my own store someday. I would rather follow nationwide laws
    that my competitors also have to follow than be bullied by a union. 

    Just my two cent's worth. Apologies for the length of this post!

Susannah

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