On Monday, August 9, 2004, at 08:08 PM, Dr. Vinny wrote:
As you well know, the Minneapolis library system has been cutting hours and services for the past two years, due partly to decreased funding.
But the fact is, at least part of the cuts are because the library is resistant to change. One change they could and should make is to hire teenagers to do the shelving and circulation desk duties afterschool and on weekends. The advantages are twofold: the kids get valuable work experience and extra money, and the library can greatly reduce their payroll expenses, because you don't have to pay kids much more than the minimum wage.
I can't tell you how big a debt we (the big we of society) owe organized labor. We are reminded of our historical debt in the twinkling bumper stickers "from the people who gave us the weekend." It isn't a stretch to say that a good deal of affordable suburban housing would not have been built without buyers with wage levels negotiated at the bargaining tables in America's cities. Workers of all kinds have laws protecting them today based on the safety and security concessions won by organized labor for everyone in the workplace.
So to say the library is resistant to change and a change to be made is to hire high school kids at low wages might sound good on the surface. But another drift from organized worker's rights is alarming to me. It seems we have become bored with the issues of worker security and instead grasp for the laissez faire solution too quickly. The reality is that without unions Maquilladora style squalor typifies unfettered capitalism in free markets.
Organized labor is under attack. Union membership has shrunken to a shadow of its former strength. We need unions in this country if we are going to successfully navigate the information age and retain leadership in goods and services worldwide. I think there is a price to be paid in the long run. All capital and no labor makes for a bad tasting societal stew.
Yes, it would be easy to hire kids. I don't think the library is resistant to change in that regard. I can't speak for the library, but I would personally very strongly oppose efforts to gut the unions and take back hard won labor rights for workers. The issue is not reducing payroll expenses. The issue is state government reneging on a major quality of life and free education promise to the citizens of Minnesota. Lose that and it will be extremely hard to get back.
I say the governor does not get off that easily. He has to answer for his disregard of libraries.
Best wishes,
Laura Wittstock
Laura Waterman Wittstock MIGIZI Communications, Inc. 3123 East Lake Street Minneapolis, MN 55406 612.721.6631 ext 219 [EMAIL PROTECTED] http://www.migizi.org http://laurawatermanwittstock.blogspot.com/
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