Philly.com: Union president tells his son: Stay out of the union

[Omaha Steve]

X post in Labor & Socialist-Progressive

http://www.philly.com/philly/blogs/jobs/INQ_Jobbing_Union_UFCW-Wendell-Young-Leadership-Philadelphia-Acme-state-Store.html

Jane M. Von Bergen, Inquirer Staff Writer
Posted: Monday, March 9, 2015, 3:55 AM

Critics have a point when they talks about how leadership in some union locals turns into a family dynasty, with sons easily taking over leadership from their fathers, thereby nearly erasing the chance for any kind of elected union democracy. Wendell Young 4th said it definitely was not that easy for him to become the leader of the United Food and Commercial Workers Local 1776, following in the footsteps of his father, Wendell Young 3d.

In fact, he said, his father actively discouraged him from union work.

When Young was a youngster, he remembers, his father was rarely home, always too busy with negotiations or union business. Young recalled one time when the whole family was gathered for a barbecue to celebrate his birthday. But his Dad had to leave for negotiations. Heartbroken, Young put up a fit and his Dad wound up taking him to a bargaining session, where someone, mercifully, had some magic markers to keep him occupied.

"I was bored," Young said.

FULL story at link.