Does nepotism and patronage matter?

[WileEcoyote]

During the course of the past twenty five years in business I've met a number of union leaders. Not as a member, but as a trades worker in their own homes. Purely by coincidence did i meet these people. A few titles:

Longshoreman leader

Electrical union President

Police Officers union Prez and

Postal service union Prez.

There was one more I met but was so long ago that I can't recollect his title. Again was just an out of world coincidence I met any of these people. The idea that in pure luck of the draw I would meet so many by chance has always staggered my mind...

During conversations with these leaders I asked and received answers to questions. Fascinating people with who I generally agreed with 90% of the time. Most had strong political connections. One eats lunch with Gavin Newsom from time to time.

All of them had one thing in common: Their brothers, sisters, children, family, extended family and various friends were in the union.

Me? Since 1984 I've been on some waiting list down at the Tile Setters union in Millbrae, CA. If that building is even there. Think they built an overpass over it. Right across from the Bart station completed ten years ago. Presumably my name was eventually penciled out of their list. Not at my request but through normal attrition.

The union never called me for work I never found through them. Reason? I assume it was because I had no friends or family in the union. Instead I went "scab" and started my own business. the one that has declined miserably the past ten or so years. But at one time I was doing pretty well even if the union seemed unable to recognize my value.



Is nepotism and patronage helpful? I don't think so. It forms cliques who in turn gain power and push out those foreign to their cause. Nepotism sends an especially chilling signal to outsiders that "so and so is connected to the boss".

Worse still these tribal associations do not benefit the masses who NEED unionization. When the amount of union members reaches a high percentage, say 25% or so it has the effect of a tide bringing all boats higher. Non union workers must receive similar benefits or the union will come in to their shops and set the company straight.

It is my well founded belief that nepotism and patronage have a negative effect on workers rights. With these folks running unions they seem more concerned with keeping the status quo going rather than developing the union to include more members.

"We got ours now leave us alone" being the unspoken sentiment.

Nepotism and patronage is the union's curse today. I sometimes speculate that corporate managers have played a part in this matter too. They may hate unions, but with a few union officials bribed and paid off with sweetheart deals for friends and family? Management can shut down real progress for workers rights.

And that is the real tragedy of nepotism and patronage.

[LibDemAlways]

1. It's not just in unions. It's in places of employment everywhere.

Union patronage, though, has been going on for many years. When my husband was a teenager his grandfather got him a summer job at a movie studio where he was working in the union paint shop. Husband could never have gotten the gig on his own. More recently my husband's brother-in-law got into another Hollywood union through a friend. That's the way that business works. It's not what you know or can do. It's who you know.

My husband has been unemployed since January. He worked for years on government stuff that required he basically work in a vault - so it was just about impossible to cultivate contacts who could be helpful to him in the future. Now after being let go he's in deep shit because he has few "connected" people to turn to - even though he's extremely good at what he does and would be an asset to any company. However, he's had a hell of a time even scaring up an interview because he doesn't know the right people. It's frustrating as hell.

[WileEcoyote]

5. Well said and thoughfully put.

What I want to hear about are theories of how nepotism and patronage effect union expansion and inclusiveness.

My opinion is that these (Nepotism and patronage) handicap union success.

[Earth Bound Misfit]

2. Boo Fucking Hoo Part Deux.

Part Un:

.....Reagan era...No job training.

....capitalist parasite landlord.

wife and kids.....with materialistic tastes.

....brown people

....who wants to hire a mid fifties man

.....Where was the business?

....Consumers were now turning to Craigslist

.....Craigslist screwed me

Part Deux:

....I never found through (the Union). Reason? I assume it was because I had no friends or family in the union.

nepotism and patronage.....forms cliques who in turn gain power and push out those foreign to their cause.

Nepotism sends ....chilling signal to outsiders that "so and so is connected to the boss".

these folks.....seem more concerned with keeping the status quo

......a few union officials bribed and paid off with sweetheart deals....




The reason you've "failed" is staring you in the face each morning in your bathroom mirror. Realize it, accept it, then do something about it.

Or just keep doing what you're now doing---pointing the finger of blame at everyone and everything but yourself, and continue wallowing in self pity.

Either way, I wish you well.

[WileEcoyote]

3. Dude

I'm an accomplished musician who shows up on at least THREE fucking professional web sites. So much for you're idea I'm a "failure".

Will be backing up Ernie Watts (search his name) this coming May as well as appearing in venues in Vegas, L/A and what not. It is hard sometimes for music to pay my bills so i still stick to construction. So say something about how i must be a failure at music too! Do it!

If I gave a shit about you would send a p/m showing specifically who I am and what i do.

But i don't. So? STFU thank you very much.

[Earth Bound Misfit]

4. No need for me to say anything else about your success or failure...

you've already said enough yourself:

Today for me it's food stamps, welfare and the rare handyman fix it job. Once in a while I get a paid musical gig (oughta see my resume!).

I barely cover the rent on an apartment as big as a matchbox.

Your words. Not mine.

Before I commence STFUing, and despite the fact that you're obviously quite the troll, I'll still wish you well.

[WileEcoyote]

6. Don't go away mad

Just go away.

This topic was for comment on making unions more effective, not personal petty B/S. I will however challenge you to this test. It will apply only if you are a musician or other creative type of some regard:

Make a statement promising to show me (via P/M) any sound clips you have of your music. If you're a musician that is. At that point I will happily provide you with the names of the three professional bands I'm associated with and sound clips/bio from the other. May even put all on the net. What the hell?

But you in turn must provide same either privately or elsewhere.

Then we'll compare my "success" in the creative idiom compared to yours. I will win out easily compared to you.

Guaranteed. Try me!

[Earth Bound Misfit]

7. Congrats! You Win! You're a Championship caliber flame-baiter!

And another thing:


But I still wish you well.
Welcome to my ignore.