I AM GLAD to see that John Dougherty is supporting the referees' union in their dispute with the NFL (letter, Sept. 26). I assume that means neither he or his union members are watching or attending NFL games, buying NFL merchandise or participating in fantasy football this year until the lockout is settled. I assume he and his members do not just support the union way when it is convenient, and go all out in support of any union during a labor dispute. If they watch on TV or participate in any way with an NFL game, they are supporting the owners against the referees.
I have heard union members say that the refs' union did not call for a boycott and there is no picket line to cross so they are not violating any union code, but the same does not apply in a case of a Walmart, for example. There are no picket lines at Walmart, but many union members refuse to shop there because they are non-union. I would just like to see the union way apply across the board and not just when it fits the union's definition of a worthy cause. The players' union could at least show support for the referees, which they have not in any meaningful way. The only reason we hear players and coaches coming out on the side of the locked-out officials is that there have been some problems with the officiating.
