The local SEIU union at Stanford is in the middle of contract negotiations. They are asking for higher pay, more benefits and so on. I have to say that I am pretty neutral in the dispute. But I do not like the language that the SEIU and many unions in general use to garner support. The constant use of justice and freedom and how it is in danger from the employer. A 5% pay raise is not a matter of freedom. The unions want more money and good for them. Stanford wants to pay as little as they have to and good for them. It’s called trade. Everyone wants to pay as little as possible for things they want and get paid as much as possible for things they do. Stanford and Unions are no different and I have no problem with either of them trying to get the best deal that they can. But to call it an injustice if they do not get what they want cheapens the term justice. In the past unions did deal with issues of justice. Defending people rights to peaceably assemble and reasonable safety on the job. But today police are not breaking up the protests and current union members’ appendages are quite safe from heavy machinery.