A funny thing happened on the way to the convention.

A funny thing on the way to the convention.

It occurs to me this morning as I get the daily messages from various organizations that are having their conventions, meetings, gatherings, and roadshows, in venues like arenas, significant hotels, meeting halls, civic centers, and convention centers.

That not a single item delivered to the dock, not a single booth set up, electric, light, dividers, carpeting, furniture, fixtures, maintenance while at the “show,” and finally packing up, back to the docks, and transported back to HQ or on to the next “show”…

…that none of this?is possible without Unions, even at the entry door and security. Everything you are attempting to accomplish at these shows in SELLING your franchises or services depends on Union labor.

To be clear, I am not strictly pro-union but believe they do have a place in our society where individuals have been abused by companies who took advantage of their employees. There is, however, a renewed “awakening” as life returns to normal. We see it occurring in nearly every sector of business.

However, the most brutal fight comes from those in the franchisor space and organizations that represent them.

I find this to be incredibly ironic.

Now don’t go off becoming upset with my comments. I think organizations like MFV do an outstanding job of putting these conventions together. My point is that they, and those like them, couldn’t even attempt to organize these conventions without the support of labor and labor Unions representing almost every trade, including food service.

Yet, the International Franchise Association and its leader, Matthew Haller, seem to pretend that the Union labor that puts them in the position to do their roadshows and sponsor others isn't indebted to Union labor while sending in representatives and lawyers by caravan to fight off any attempts to unionize the franchisor space elsewhere. Think “Pro-Act.”

To be clear, I’m not a proponent nor an adversary but have chosen to remain neutral in the belief that it is the “people” and not the lobbyists who will eventually decide the path they will ultimately pursue.?Whether now or in the future, you can be sure this isn’t a battle easily won by either “side” of the issue. This isn’t to say I don’t have a personal opinion; of course, I do, but let the market and its people ultimately decide.

In the interim, you keep those shows going, those convention halls filled, the shipment, unpacking, packing, and return of your booths, all while remembering that none of it would have happened were it not for the union labor you rely upon.

Let that settle in for a bit.