I have been the member of the Solidarnosc (Solidarity) Trade Union, the organization supported by Ronald Reagan and AFL CIO. At first it was a lot of fun to organize the trade union not endorsed by totalitarian regime. I remember first strike I was part of when send to the remote location to do documentation needed for moving a barn to the open air museum I refused to go (it was very nice solution to go away and wait what will happen from the distance - you will not bear consequences if the things will go wrong and you can always claim the support for the case in the if it's won). Next thing I remember was the night watch behind the glass door to be defended in case of police attack. As a young, tall (6-4), strong (former national rowing team member), three month earlier nominated lieutenant of the Polish Peoples Army man I was considered as a first line of defense. For what I can tell you - it was a very long night. No one knew what is going on - fresh after the service I had no doubt what will happen if anyone bother to pay attention to the strike organized by 400 crew of the historic preservation company (PKZ). Our good luck was several thousand shipyard workers on strike 2 kilometers away. 1980 - it was frantic year of almost around the corner freedom. I remember first union meeting (I still have hand made union mandate produced by my fellow architects just night before). Proposed by someone to take the position (my brave night performance!) of the board member i was investigated on the management - worker relations issues. The question was: if the worker come to you with the problem he has with some engineer in who's favor will you judge. As you can guess it was no brainier to answer to whoever is right, regardless tribal solidarity. The only thing what striked me it was fact that I was questioned by the head of the bookkeeping department. When 13 December 1981 martial law was announced it was really shocking experience. From now on I was underground union member. Trying to push forward my career as an architect in this time was not easy. Total denial of the leading political force imposed on Poland by the Soviets could not help me with that. Next thing what happened (this time I did not refuse to go) - I was delegated by my company to Riga, Latvia, Soviet Union at this time to work on Old City restoration project. I spent there 8 years of my life. The country was beautiful, we did some good work over there, the system, well we all know how it come to the end. As they say in Poland "the darkest spot is under the lamp post". My union membership just dissolved over the years - it was real something when the best what you could get out of it was police baton on your back, it is something different when you can build your political (read material) position on it. As of now - from time to time doing the work in prominent location in NYC I was approached by some individuals asking me if I am union. In my contract I always put the clause about open shop prices and increase of the price if anyone request union job, what is usually enough to have the Client handle the case. I have no problem hiring union subs as long as the bid field is leveled but again it is never really level. As with every try of regulating live force of the free market it is a lot of space for corruption of the system. If anyone bother to ask for my opinion - trade organization which provide education of its members like AIA, PTN, TFG, APT, Painters Association and alike makes a lot of sense to me. The organization which provides free tickets to the Bronx Zoo or turkeys for Thanksgiving for its members - I do not think so.