Lew: Before learning of Petro’s death today, I was teaching one of my classes. We were considering a case in which a labor union had insisted upon the right to trespass on the privately-owned property of a shopping center. I briefly mentioned some of my lawyering experiences – I represented management in labor disputes – and brought to my students’ attention the violent nature of labor unions; how I had never seen any employer deal with his employees in as vicious a manner as unions routinely treat non-union workers; and how I had once been shot at by a union supporter during a strike at a client’s place of business. Most of my students sat with their mouths hanging open less, I suppose, from having been informed of the normal routine of unions, than in having a professor express anti-union sentiments.
I then came home and read your blog about Sylvester’s death. While I don’t believe I ever met the man, I was certainly familiar with his important work. It is sad that he is no longer with us.
9:23 pm on February 22, 2008
