Union's Adoption of Cross-Functional Training Pays Off!

Moe Lane seems to think it is a problem that a $164,000/year collective bargaining union officer also acts in the capacity of union street goon. I am actually encouraged that unions are starting to learn the value of efficiency via the tools of cross-training and multi-functional skill matrices. You see, unions used to have to pay pencil-necked geeks (see Ron Gettelfinger) the $164K to secure the services of the type of men or women that were skilled in delicate and sophisticated negotiations. Then they would have to pay extra for their goons, for the muscle that supports their intimidation operations. But as Mr. Lane has discovered, the unions have learned the value of multi-functional training and have combined the job of thuggery with responsibility for collective bargaining negotiation, thus preserving valuable resources to spend elsewhere. And here I thought that unions' main contribution was to permeate inefficiency and over-employment in the economy!! How wrong I was. Anyway this brings up an interesting management question - do you hire the braun and train them (make a rank and file goon study this) or do you hire the brains and make them hit the gym???? A management question for the ages to be sure.