These are strange and uncertain times that we live in, and nobody, not even the workers currently on strike, feels it more than small business owners. With all the economic uncertainty out there, we’ve seen reduced business, a fact that would be manageable if I hadn’t let my employees unionize back in 2017.
All throughout history there have been things that business owners could do to keep costs down at an establishment like ours. I could reduce hours, slash wages, fire people on the spot, you name it. It almost brings a tear to your eye just thinking about the freedom that used to be provided to me before my employees figured out that they actually have all of the power because the work that they do is valuable and important. It makes me feel like I’m the bad guy. The unions tell me that I’ve been mistreating my employees, some of whom’s names I actually know, and that I’m required to provide “benefits” beyond a bi-weekly paycheck of the least amount of money I am legally allowed to give them.
As a small business owner, it’s frankly ridiculous to expect me to be able to function like a major corporation who can hire lawyers to fight off the unions. Our profit margins are razor thin, and this is my livelihood. If we lose this business, I might have to sell our fourth car to make ends meet, or worse, I could lose my second home and the income I make from renting it out.
I appreciate all of the support from the tightly knit local community that affords me my lifestyle.