Requirement
7. Argue both sides of a labor issue
Required Often forgotten
THREE JOBS, NOT ONE. Management's side first, then labor's or the employee's, then a summary of the basic rights and responsibilities of employers and employees including union and nonunion members. May be done before your counselor OR in writing.
Notes and warnings
Warning. THREE JOBS HERE, AND THE THIRD IS THE ONE THAT GETS LEFT OUT. First argue management's side of your chosen issue. Then argue labor's or the employee's side. Then summarize the basic rights and responsibilities of employers AND employees, including union members AND nonunion members, which is four categories of person and a separate piece of work from the two arguments. Two other things are worth knowing. You may do all of this before your counselor OR IN WRITING, and the written route is the easier one if arguing a position you disagree with out loud does not appeal. And the issue itself may come from the news or from your own work on this badge, which is what requirement 1's list was for.
Where this step comes from
- American Labor Merit Badge Requirements (Merit Badge Hub, last modified 2025-12-15), Requirement 7 · The requirement allows the issue to be one in the news currently or one known to you from your work on this merit badge, and allows the argument to be made before your counselor or in writing.