Unions

In the Wall Street Journal, Tuesday, March 19, 2019 edition, one of the lead articles stated “Former UAW (United Auto Workers) Official Charged in Investigation at Fiat/Chrysler.” I have never been known as a fan of Unions. Some of my Colleagues spend all day representing injured union workers. They get their business from the union bosses. In my opinion the union bosses are there to help themselves and not the union members at large. In the workers' compensation field, unions have little value.

Norwood Jewell is the highest-ranking UAW official to date to be charged in a federal investigation which first became public in July, 2017. Prosecutors have charged Mr. Jewell with using money from a union training center fund to enrich himself and others. This would be a violation of the Labor Management Relations Act according to documents that were filed by the US Attorney's office for the Eastern District of Michigan.

Fiat/Chrysler said that a few “bad actors” stole training funds for their personal enrichment and their action neither benefited were at the direction of the company.

Federal prosecutors charged that Mr. Jewell, a Vice President of the UAW between 2014 and 2016, knowingly accepted more than $40,000 from people acting in the interest of Fiat/Chrysler in the form of travel, lodging, and meals. I just want to know, how does this help the injured worker? It does not!

This is exactly why unions are on the decline. In fact, in Georgia, the statistics now according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (2017-2018) are that union members comprise about four percent of the workforce in Georgia. This is the lowest number Georgia has ever seen.