Love or Money?

So, as I'm driving back from work the other night, I see some Pequot Health employees at the end of the entrance on Route 117.  I of course beep for "the cause".  We all know L+M is in the middle of a strike - the first one in its history. 

Now, I will preface and disclose that I worked there for many years in various roles and was also an AFT/Healthcare Workers Union Vice President and my entire family has worked there too.

With that being said, I must tell you of an interesting conversation that occurred at my present employer.  The strike subject came up the other day and one person who works for the State of CT said, "nurses should not be allowed to strike..."  Well, that of course brought up the several additional looks, stares and additional conversation, and a short debate about this subject. 

So, what's the verdict - do healthcare employees have a higher calling - should they not be granted "rights" like everyone else?  Or, are they subject to a different set of standards then other American employees?  If so, who will monitor possible abuse by management or protect employees from unscrupulous treatment and possible problems?  Can we always trust Human Resources in every institution.  Maybe in a perfect world. Right?  Electric Boat corporation fired some employees several years ago for harassment of man who endured terrible racial slurs.  Or are we to believe that corporations always have our back. 

So, maybe you never experienced an abusive employer or maybe you did - well, things do happen and people will be people, right?  That's why we have lawyers, if we can afford them, right?  But, if we have been terminated, can we even afford to pay our rent, never mind a lawyer?  And, what about these arbitrators?  Are they biased in some way.  Do personal prejudices play a role in decisions rendered. 

Wow, that's a lot of questions - I guess in a perfect world with perfect people, we would be not asking these questions.  So, like my title indicated - is it about love or money.  If we love our jobs and want quality and we see the higher ups sacrificing that, perhaps we must stand our ground.  Some may think these protests are just about money.  What do you the public think?

Do people generally strike just for the money?  I seriously doubt it as many of these workers are paid quite well.  But, the workers being brought in are being paid some serious money! 

Seems like this strike and L+M's Union employees in this situation are not fighting for money but because they are dedicated and are so fed up that tough love is being used for the greater good.  Employee treatment and job security (a little bit maybe) in this horrible economy.  Well, they never promised us a rose garden right?