Dearly beloved...
Crystal Lee Sutton, do you take David Woglom? David Woglom, do you take the Teamsters? Church bells are ringing in Quakertown. A shotgun wedding for sure, but let anyone opposed speak now, or forever hold his peace.
Sutton's struggles to organize a union in a southern textile factory were dramatized in the movie "Norma Rae", and actress Sally Field will always be remembered holding up that UNION sign. The flick itself is a great rallying cry for the labor movement, the inspiring saga of little people winning against the big, bad establishment.
Quakertown's municipal employees see themselves as those little people. And, after years of griping about Borough Manager David Woglom, they finally popped the question, and are poised to stroll down the aisle with the International Brotherhood of Teamsters, who know a thing or two about labor problems. And big, bad establishments.
In early January, those little people met with representatives of Teamsters Local 773 of Allentown, asking for their help in dealing with Woglom. The workers' organizing statement said, in part:
"It is time for a change. It is long overdue that we come to work and all stick together for a cause. That cause is to finally have a say on what Dave Woglom can take from us and not take from us. Finally get Dave Woglom to respect us.... Everybody deserves the respect from there (sic) bosses."
After a second meeting on January 25, approximately twice the required thirty-one percent of the workers' wedding party petitioned to hold a certification vote. Tune up the organ - here comes the bride.
"Our boss does not respect any of us and keeps changing policies on us. He thinks since we don't have a college education that we can't think for ourselves. It is about time that we say enough is enough and all stand together to make working for the Quakertown Borough a better place."
QT employees stress that this is not about money. In fact, they recognize that, after union dues, they might actually take home less than they do now. And this is not about safety, nor working conditions in the offices, buildings, and vehicles. They even express positive feelings about their immediate bosses, and borough council. They are just tired of being treated like, well, little people.
"Enough of Dave changing our benefits, getting no answers to questions we have, not having a say, and somebody to back us up on changes he makes that effects (sic) us personally."
The bottom line here is that if the Teamsters win the hearts of borough workers, those wedding bells will actually be tolling the death of Woglom's unchallenged power in Quakertown. No more secret policies. No more unilateral decisions on health care, insurance, retirement, salary, and work schedules. No more my-way-or-the-highway attitude.
It will now be marriage counseling, union style. Everything negotiated with Teamsters business agents, Teamsters attorneys, and Teamsters shop stewards. Of course, if those negotiations are on the rocks, the word "strike" will not just be coming from the Little League. And when the Teamsters are on strike, don't look for any major deliveries around town.
Local 773 has plenty of experience in this area, since its membership is approximately seventy percent municipal and school district employees, including Northampton, Catasaqua, Nazareth, Whitehall, and Macungie.
"If you had enough of the man upstairs now is the time to make your voice be heard. If you don't want to change anything now, then you have no one to blame but yourself in the future for what Dave Woglom does to us."
Last Wednesday, Woglom had a meeting with his various department heads, and tried to rally their support by claiming that the borough is under attack by its own workers, and by me (remember his sweet stone deal with Councilman Dan Williams?).
But, like a nasty divorce, this all might have been avoided if he had just shown a little more respect for the little people. If he had only offered them one-tenth the kindness he did for his friends, like Dan Williams.
What an irony - council has allowed Woglom absolute power for years so that they don't have to deal with big issues, or little people. Now they may live unhappily ever after because of it. And don't expect any long engagements. The union vote could come in 30-45 days.
This is not the first time that borough workers have flirted with representation. About 18 years ago, the issue actually came to a vote, but lost. In 2001 there were discussions, but not enough cards for a formal petition. Since then, Woglom has repeatedly told the employees that they don't need to organize, and that he was providing more for them than a union would.
Now, faced with two suitors, it looks like the workers are giving the rose to the Teamsters, even if it means a little less in the Friday envelope. For better or for worse, in sickness and in health.
And if you can't think of the perfect wedding gift, it has already been chosen for you. Tens of thousands of your tax dollars will now be spent on labor attorneys for the borough, an absolute necessity for union negotiations.
In Hatboro, council and the Teamsters (not 773) have been at war for more than two years, including repeated acts of vandalism, firings, and charges of unfair labor practices. Teamsters are regulars at council meetings. In December, public comment got so heated that extra police officers were called in. Ain't love grand?
I now pronounce you man(ager) and strife.