Inspired by recent mumblings about unions, being a mayor, and Krispy Kreme in the American Political Discussion Thread.
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Let's call you Tim, for simplicity. Congratulations, brother Tim, you have been elected the mayor of the city of Timopolis, a thriving town of 123,000 individuals. It's an island city, located on some far-off US state in the Pacific, or maybe the Atlantic. Regardless, Timopolis has been undergoing a strong growth in the last couple of years, building a strong industrial and residential presence on the island. What for, it doesn't really matter. Due to the isolation, Timopolis mostly gets it's fuel for it's power plant from Uncle Sam back in Washington, with supply ships coming in and out. This is rarely an issue, and power seems to move smoothly enough in both the industrial and residential sectors. For you, it seems like an easy second term is coming up.
Then, disaster strikes. An unforeseen incident abroad has spiraled out of control, and before you know, the nation is under pandemic lockdown. The supply chains needed to keep moving nearly clunk to a halt, and as the pandemic continues, widespread shortages begin to become apparent back in the states. Timopolis still continues to get electricity, but the workers at the dock are now responsible for the islands most needed resource in continuing industrial output and residential home life: electricity. And as a result, they are under immense local and national pressure to keep it up. Even the governor of the state is calling in to make sure that these dock workers continue working hard, instead of risking a crisis in the region. But for what it's worth, while there job was obviously highly important, now it seems even more important. And as a result, while you're enjoying a quiet morning in the office, a knock comes to the door, and here comes the union boss.
The union boss sits down and puts it straight: the Timopolis union workers must be given an immediate bonus and a very large salary increase. I can't put a number on it, but imagine that it seems almost offensive in a way, how large the salary increase they are asking for. Outlandish, even. Immediately, you deny it, but the union boss makes it clear that if these demands are not met in 48 hours, he will call upon a strike at the docks, shutting down Timopolis's independent power source connection and puts at risk the entire operation of the city. As he leaves, your police chief comes in and gives an alternative. Wait the deadline out, and if the union boss goes through with his plan, to call the police out to, through any means necessary, suppress the strike and continue the flow of electricity to your island.
Mind you, a good most of the emergency medical, fire, and police services would still have power..at first. Through the emergency power supply left. This will last only for a while, but eventually, these facilities will also wain off. Industrial areas would have to depend on there own generators and means for electricity, and while a few might still be able to operate in some capacity, it would cripple production. And on top of all of this, this union boss man could simply be bluffing too. So here you are, sitting after a long day of meetings and calls, trying to figure out your course of action.
You have four options:
1: Immediately concede to these demands, whether or not it's a bluff. This will drain through much of the city budget, probably require you to make tax raises and call in for aid, but it would prevent the strike on any large or notable scale at this point. The dock workers aren't a significantly sized voting faction either. It will be a band-aid to pull off, and significantly damage re-election chances despite your development of the city. Union power would be emboldened at the very least as well.
2: Wait for the deadline, and if they strike, only then enter negotiations to concede. If they do go on strike, it's possible the negotiators may try to raise demands even more, but it could prevent a very costly endeavor in the first place if the bluff is called.
3: Wait for the deadline, refuse to negotiate, and don't put down the strike. This option would entail just downright refusing to negotiate, waiting out any possible strike. If this route is taken and the strike does go through, you could possibly de-legitimize the union strikers in the first place and, if they eventually call off the strike, you would save the cash. But it would damage industrial power on the island and possibly backfire, totally destroying a election chance and rather ungracefully pushing you out of politics.
4: Put down the strike by force. It won't happen here, you say, and with this option, you immediately put a lid on all union agitation, shut it down, and forcefully continue the flow of goods, backed by the police force. This could be incredibly violent, and possibly land you even more trouble. But it would, in theory at least, save the flow of power to the island and allow for industrial growth to continue. But, at what cost, detractors would say.
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NSG, I ask of you, what of these options do you pick? For me, I choose the first option: accept these demands, immediately. Instead of risking a protracted conflict with a union, just conceding the demands and biting off this band-aid. By conceding near immediately to these demands, while it may hurt my re-election chances, the power supply would be saved here, industrial output could continue, and it would eventually pay itself back. Strong union ties generally help the economy anyway.
