Praying for Labor Leaders?

[melensdad]

At mass, during the prayer intentions, we prayed for union leaders.

Now I understand, or I think I do, the whole concept of social justice. I also understand that during the industrial revolution and through the 1940’s there were abuses of labor by management. However today that is not anything I see in the US. Perhaps it is an issue in 3rd world nations but I got the impression we were praying for American labor leaders. In fact I see, over the past 30 or 40 years, more abuses by labor than by companies.

I do see problems with labor being abused in China and other 3rd world nations, but those abuses seem to be abuses reinforced and established by the Governments.

I’m also confused because several of the major labor unions have been taking specific positions to support abortion. The California Labor Federation actively opposed “parental notification” of minors seeking abortion. The AFSCME has sponsored abortion rights marches. The International Union of Bricklayers & Allied Craftsmen (division of the AFL-CIO) refused to endorse Bill Clinton in his last campaign because he had vetoed a late term abortion bill. The CLUW educates their members on abortion rights. My wife is a member (reluctantly) for the NEA and they are VERY pro-abortion.

I’m looking for some clarity here, why did we pray for the current labor leaders when they are causing so many jobs to be lost? Or when they are abusing the trust of their members? Or when the unions are protecting mediocrity at the cost of quality, production and jobs?

Seriously I do not understand

 

[Dale_M]

I’m looking for some clarity here, why did we pray for the current labor leaders when they are causing so many jobs to be lost? Or when they are abusing the trust of their members? Or when the unions are protecting mediocrity at the cost of quality, production and jobs?

All of those are good reasons to pray for them. Praying for anyone in a leadership position is not a bad idea - they need all the help they can get.

 

[melensdad]

Well I got the impression, and maybe I was wrong in my impression, but it seemed like we were praying for them to increase membership in unions by being more effective at organizing. My wife who is in the teachers union, got the same impression.

I do agree, if they are corrupt we should pray for them to correct their ways.

But should we pray for them to organize more workers? I don’t get it. The last place I worked voted to throw their own union out because they (rightfully) trusted management more, got better treatment from management, etc.