Rep. Olson Speaks in Support

He has never been a member of a union, he admits.

He tells a story about a custodian who refused to shovel a slippery walk just before a high school basketball game. The superintendent took the shovel and did the job. The custodian filed a grievance against him, ostensibly for taking his job.

"We all come to this question today with different perspectives...people tend to seek out data that confirms our beliefs...so I understand the differences of opinion...but what is before us is whether a worker may or may not choose to join....what is at stake is the principle of freedom of association...we should have the right to associate or NOT associate...Ben Franklin said we have a republic if we can keep it...limited government...not unbridled democracy...this is tough love for the unions...the big three lost market share and are now called the Detroit Three...competition have forced auto companies to produce much better cars...so it may be with the unions...they need to improve in the quality of product they provide their members...they will need to make their case to the workers that they are worth joining..."