I know of a situation, still current, that only partially addresses your
question. It is the case of two good friends, one of whom went out, the
other did not. However, all during the strike until this very day, the
non-striker contributes a sizable portion of income to the strike fund, to
help support the striking workers. At first, the tension between the two was
very great, but as understanding grew on the striker's part of the other's
sympathies and unwavering action, their relationship has been reestablished;
and they are today on good terms. A lesson from this might very well be that
the non-strikers should show their appreciation for the courage and sacrifice
of the strikers in some concrete form such as the example I have given, even
if it is after the fact. It is not a cure, of course, for the resentment
runs very deep -- I speak from firsthand experience long ago -- and can never
be erased. But there are ways to soften those feelings that require
significant personal action on the part of the non-strikers, not mere
gestures. On the other hand, I can offer no suggestion other than the healing
power of time of how to soften resentment held by non-strikers who may
consider strikers wrongheaded to have jeopardized themselves, their families,
and the non-strikers and their families, by placing the business in
jeopardy. I can see no rapprochement with replacement workers who stay; they
were, and remain, scabs. Hope this is helpful.
Simon Priest wrote:
> Please excuse my multiple postings. A friend (Director of T&D for a
> healthcare corporation) is looking for suggestions for building bridges
> between those who honor the picket line and those who cross it, once a
> strike is over and they all have to work together again. Please respond to
> me off list (unless you think your ideas will be interesting to others).
> Thanks for taking the time to share.
>
> REGARDS! Simon.
>
> ===================================================================
>
> Simon Priest, PhD, retired prof. & founding member of "eXperientia"
> "eXperientia" is a non-profit international consulting consortium
>
> (in latin) "eXperientia" means conscious learning for life derived
> from purposeful reflection on direct participation in action events
>
> E-addresses: mailto:
spriest@ups.edu mailto:
experien@tscnet.com
> Website URL: http://www2.tscnet.com/~experien/experientia.html