Miller's Best? An Expose

Fellow union members, and members of management alike, should be aware of the tasteless concoction currently brewing at MillerCoors. Unfortunately, the “aroma” around Miller Valley hasn’t been quite the same, since the 2008 joint venture that combined corporate giants, Miller Brewing (of Milwaukee, WI) and Coors (of Golden, CO.)

Sadly, “Best Practice” philosophies and “Fairness” procedures have gone down the same drain as the “High Life” that MillerCoors all-too-recently promised to “take back” from the economical elite.

At the heart of certain ambiguous, unethical, and undercover practices at MillerCoors, is a small union called the OPEIU. The Office & Professional Employees International Union should be placed under a magnifying glass and intricately scrutinized, to determine its continued value in the American workplace. In the past, OPEIU -- like other unions -- was instrumental in using its collective bargaining power to secure higher wages, better benefits, and improved working conditions. Innocently, workers were just seeking their slice of the “American Pie,” deservingly ensuring that their contributions to soaring profits were not ignored.

It appears that presently, however, OPEIU might be succumbing to the prevalent trends which have perverted many unions, converting them into messy “mobs” led by self-serving hierarchies similar to the ones they have purportedly been “protecting” workers from. Without commitment from its stewards, officers, and members, OPEIU will undoubtedly fail and each of its once-untouchable dues-payers will be flushed out of the company like branded beers having reached their expiration date.

Several recent occurrences have brought this plight into the “LITE.” This article, for the sake of exam...

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...ally decided that a union employee is no longer necessary – that he should become the only layoff in several years – and yet it be simultaneously decided that an additional (non-union) employee is needed to do his work during the four months following the layoff?

Every employee, especially OPEIU members, should take a stand to ensure the security of their financial futures. Also, all should fight for the restoration of ethics and integrity to the MillerCoors workplace. Do the employees there need a field sobriety test? If OPEIU, or any union for that matter, is worth fighting for, it’s only because securing the dignity and rights of each individual member is a worthy cause, as well.

With a little effort on the part of its employees and some degree of due diligence exerted by OPEIU union reps, MillerCoors can regain a title that once applied: “Milwaukee’s Best.”