The Rev. Andii Bowsher (Nouslife) — one of my favorite bloggers, he even uses Ubuntu Linux — writes about unionized clergy. (A subject I follow.)
Seems some Church of Scotland ministers or staff have representation, which was news to me and that Amicus, the main UK union with clergy, has merged with a transport union (Teamsters-like?) to formed Unite.
Aw, what happened to your handsome cute blog design?
I’m taking advantage of the weekend slump traffic to show A Special Someone some different templates.
Having lived through an orgainizing campaign or two myself, I will admit the first thing I did when I read “unionized clergy” was cringe a little bit.
Not that I think it is bad idea, maybe even especially in our congregational polity stucture, I am just frightened about what organizing would look like, especially in our congregational polity structure!
Card check? Perhaps not. But a unionizing effort might force the hands of the professional organizations into taking a more active role in benefits negotiation and conflict resolution.
“All about the congregations” polity discussions at the Association level — reflected in the decision to cut loose most of the independent affiliates — I think are very bad for the ministerial college . . . .