BOOK REVIEW: 'Labor Pains' shares important lessons about organizing...
Labor Pains remains relevant in 2016 as the Chicago Teachers Union prepares for another strike.Even though it was published more than a decade ago, the book, Labor Pains, By Suzan Erem is worth studying today. Suzan Erem was very involved as an organizer, union representative and communications director for unions since her early days in Iowa. Erem was eventually hired by Tom Balanoff, who was a trustee and was later elected President of SEIU Local 73 in Chicago. Erem serves as a communications coordinator in Chicago and writes about her experience during those years when SEIU Local 73 was a militant union.
Suzan Erem worked for SEIU from 1993-2000. The local was representing workers who “waxed hospital floors at 2 am., typed letters at state universities, collected money for tolls, and guarded downtown high-rises.”
This is a handy book for Chicago Teachers Union members because it gives a very realistic look at the life of union organizers and the people they serve. It lets members of the CTU see what is happening to us right now. It details situations that turned out well for union members and some that were just put to rest.
One of the most relevant to CTU members is the example of shuttle car employees from Zion and Beth Israel Hospitals who wanted a union because, according to Labor Pains, “they worked for a contractor that paid a straight wage -- between $5.50 and $6.25 an hour, no raises, no vacation, no sick leave and no insurance that anybody could afford.”
The drivers met and were afraid that they would be fired if they signed cards to join a union. They were asked whether they were in or out. They all stated they were in on going to the contractor and telling him they wanted to join a union. The contractor told them they were all fired. SEIU Local 73 talked to both hospitals who felt the drivers were critically needed for patient care so almost all drivers were hired by their respective hospitals as union members with a raise.
Another chapter deals with striking at a hospital, Columbia/HCA- Michael Reese.
After years of being a major hospital in Chicago, “Columbia was peaking in national infamy with federal probes, top-level indictments and massive restructuring. The company announced that they would sell one-third of its hospitals, more than a hundred, and Michael Reese.”
At the time SEIU Local 73 was in negotiations with Columbia/HCA., workers were offered a severance pay of $50 for each year of the 8 years they worked for Columbia, $350 in total. Morale was low and there was discontent among some union members against the union and a strike. Balanoff was aware of the lack of member support but still wanted to strike.
Erem contacted the Chicago Sun Times and Chicago Tribune, and they supported the workers. The strike was called for noon and was to go till 2:00PM. Jesse Jackson and Operation PUSH agreed to attend. Other SEIU locals and activist groups were also contacted. The strike was a success with 300 people attending. “Three weeks later we had an agreement providing for decent severance pay and excellent job security, plus the biggest raise those workers had seen in years. Better, we’d earned a “seat at the table.” The hospital remained open longer with better benefits with the SEIU Local 73 providing a “pivotal role in keeping the hospital open for years to come.”
