As a local business manager and frequent customer of the Chipotle restaurant chain, I was somewhat disturbed when I heard that the local carpenters union would be protesting at the opening of their Eddy St. Commons location. This protest is in response to the Chipotle's owners' decision not to use the union in their build out.
Even more disturbing was the union's gall to come to my place of employment and threaten the same action if we did not choose union carpenters. Organized labor certainly had its place in the early- to mid-20th century when workers had few (if any) bargaining rights. However, in the last 50 years we have learned that globalization has produced a market where products which are not competitive will not survive.
It is sad that the union can not sell themselves on the quality of their work or their competitive pricing, but must resort to fear tactics which will surely hurt all parties involved. Let's support our local unions, but let's also support our local businesses in making financially prudent decisions without fear of strong-arm retribution.
Nick DeMaegd
Mishawaka, IN
Aug. 28
