Editor’s Note
This article appears in The Big Sky Standard’s Opinion section. The views expressed are solely those of Jayson Olthoff and do not necessarily reflect the views of The Big Sky Standard, its contributors, or its news reporting. Our newsroom remains committed to factual reporting, verifying information, and presenting multiple perspectives on issues affecting our community.
I don’t arrive at opinions lightly.
For those who know me, you know I’ve spent much of my life bringing people together. Whether through my years in business, my military service, Coffee and Business (CAB), or We Are Local, I’ve always believed that relationships are stronger than division. It’s why one of my favorite sayings has become, “Relationships Before Transactions.”
When I began covering the labor dispute involving Hometown Harvest Foods and UFCW Local 1889, I intentionally kept my personal opinions out of my reporting.
I interviewed the owner.
I interviewed union representatives and union members.
I visited the informational picket.
I spent time in the store.
I listened.
My goal was simple: allow the community to hear multiple perspectives and make up their own minds.
That’s exactly what I believe good journalism should do.
Ironically, it wasn’t the reporting itself that changed my opinion. It was everything that happened afterward.
After the stories were published, I experienced personal attacks, profanity, accusations, and attempts to discredit me simply because I chose to tell the story from more than one perspective. I expected disagreement. Public issues often generate strong emotions. What disappointed me was the unwillingness by some to engage respectfully with someone whose only goal was to understand the facts.
That experience caused me to rethink my own position.
Today, I don’t believe grocery unions are the right fit for locally owned grocery businesses in Great Falls.
Before anyone assumes otherwise, let me be very clear.
I believe workers deserve fair wages.
I believe they deserve safe working conditions.
I believe they deserve respect from their employers.
Those principles matter.
But I also believe small business owners deserve respect.
Owning a locally operated grocery store has never been more difficult. Inflation, rising labor costs, supply chain disruptions, increasing regulations, and competition from national chains make success incredibly challenging. Local owners aren’t sitting in corporate offices hundreds of miles away. They’re here in our community, coaching Little League, volunteering, supporting fundraisers, donating to nonprofits, and employing our neighbors.
They’re part of Great Falls.
In my opinion, introducing an adversarial relationship between management and employees doesn’t strengthen that kind of business. It often creates deeper divisions at a time when collaboration is needed most.
What also concerns me is leadership.
The tone leaders set matters.
In my own interactions surrounding this issue, I encountered behavior that I believe reflected poorly on the organization being represented. Personal attacks, profanity, and hostility don’t persuade people. They shut down conversations. They discourage honest questions. They create more heat than light.
That’s unfortunate, because I believe respectful dialogue is how communities solve problems.
To be fair, this opinion is not directed at every union member or every labor organization. Many hardworking people belong to unions, and many simply want to provide for their families while ensuring they’re treated fairly. I respect that.
My opinion is based on my own experiences covering this issue, the conversations I had, and the conduct I personally encountered.
Reasonable people will disagree with me.
That’s okay.
Healthy disagreement is one of the strengths of our country.
What isn’t healthy is replacing conversation with character attacks.
As I continue writing and reporting, my commitment won’t change.
When I’m reporting the news, I’ll continue working to present facts, verify information, and seek multiple perspectives.
When I’m writing an opinion, like today, you’ll know exactly where I stand.
After everything I’ve witnessed during this experience, I believe the future of locally owned grocery stores in Great Falls is better served through direct communication, mutual accountability, and community partnership than through outside union representation.
You may reach a different conclusion, and I respect your right to do so.
My hope is simply that, wherever we stand, we remember that leadership begins with respect.
If we truly want a stronger Great Falls, that’s a standard worth raising.
