By Dan Marcus
Las Vegas. Sin City. The Entertainment Capital of the World. You can describe it any way you choose to, but until you set your eyes on the clichéd and dazzling paradise that is Las Vegas and the strip, you can’t truly understand it. As we saw today, not all of Vegas is glamour and awe. We began the day with a visit to the Culinary Workers Union. This is one of the major labor unions and they were in the news during the winter for endorsing Barack Obama.
The conversation started with Billy giving us an informative discussion on the topic of unions. He showed us why people think unions are important and why others do not like them. Billy also spoke with us about labor in America, focusing on the issue of minimum wage vs. living wage. Billy gave us the minimum wage of each of our towns as well as the figures of what it would take one person to have a basic existence in our hometowns. In almost every city, the amount needed for a living wage was significantly greater than the minimum wage being paid.
We then met with the Union’s Communications Director who explained the importance and power of a union. He explained their belief that unions will protect workers and provide a better life for the more than 60,000 dues paying members. This union has been organizing since 1935 and has demonstrated their collective power through strikes and rallies. Their slogan, “In solidarity we will win” exemplifies their tenacity and brings to mind other unions led by Samuel Gompers and the Polish Solidarity Movement led by Lech Walesa. While the slogan says “what happens in Vegas stays in Vegas,” I believe I can speak for everyone when I say that the issue of labor in America is a topic we will take with us, discuss and research, since it will impact everyone’s life.
Next we made a lunch stop at the infamous West Coast restaurant, “In-n-Out” burger. It definitely lived up to its name in both speed and deliciousness.
After lunch we went to the office of Nevada Senator and Senate Majority Leader, Harry Reid. There we met with his aide, Mariela Hernandez. We discussed the topic of Immigration. In 2007 Senator Reid proposed much needed immigration reform that will be a major part of the discussions during the upcoming elections. We were all amazed by the obvious problems in our system now. Examples would be the excessive waiting periods for green cards and the sheer number of undocumented workers (12 - 15 million), 40% of whom entered America legally and are now considered illegal. No matter the opinion on what should be done, we all agreed that tremendous reform is needed. As active students and American citizens, it is our right and duty to voice our ideas and call for change by writing letters, emailing, calling or meeting with our elected officials.
Although our journey is all about learning and political activism, it can’t hurt to have some fun. For our evening activity we witnessed the music entertainment spectacular that is Blue Man Group. I have never seen them before but I have been to many concerts. I can tell you that this was no ordinary show. The three bald and very blue men combined intense, almost tribal, drumming with hilarious antics. One of our counselors, Adam, was selected by the Blue Men to go up on stage and they put him into a white jump suit and painted him green….wait…just kidding, they painted him blue and then threw him into a white canvas to make body art. This surprise, as well as the extravagant ending involving rolls of paper flowing through the audience, made the whole experience a memorable one.
I’ll be honest, I wasn’t sure I would enjoy the tacky and over the top aspects of Las Vegas that I had heard so much about. After seeing it for myself I can now consider myself a fan and will definitely return…when I am older!
Recent Comments