Shepherd’s Union Says Jacob Violated Regulations By Moving Rock Off Well By Himself

In further violation of regulations, he proceeded to water the livestock of the shepherdess Rachel, daughter of Laban.

Paddan Aram, December 6 – Representatives of the Aram Naharayim Herders’ Association called for sanctions against Jacob today after the latter allegedly violated labor rules by rolling a rock off of a drinking well without enlisting the services of union-member herdsmen in the area.

According to a statement by union spokesman Ro’eh Edro, yesterday afternoon Jacob arrived at the area well and engaged local shepherds in conversation. Despite specific mention by those shepherds that under union rules the rock protecting the well opening must only be removed by authorized union personnel, Jacob approached the rock and rolled it off the hole, and then, in further violation of regulations, proceeded to water the livestock of the shepherdess Rachel, daughter of Laban.

“We have testimony from multiple eyewitnesses that this violation of labor agreements was no product of ignorance or accident,” read the statement. “Rather, it seems Mr. Jacob wishes to threaten the livelihood of union members and their families by demonstrating his dismissal of our herders’ job security concerns.”

In an interview, Edro explained that the rules governing who may remove and replace the rock from the mouth of the well, and who may water the sheep and goats, were developed to protect the positions of union-member herders who might lose their source of livelihood if others were permitted to perform those tasks for lower wages. “Without the Herders’ Association protecting these men and their families’ source of income, hundreds of shepherds and goatherds in this area would be under the constant threat of unemployment,” he noted. “Without rules defining who is and is not authorized to perform certain functions, flock owners would be able to concentrate all the activities in the hands of far fewer herdsmen, depriving the rest of the herders of a job and undermining economic security for countless Aram Naharayim families.”

Unconfirmed reports alleged that Jacob, who is not a registered member of the union, was hired by flock owners to stir up trouble among the herdsmen. “He’s related to Laban, that we know,” said one herder, who insisted on anonymity. “And Laban uses his daughters to do his herding – women aren’t eligible for Association membership, so we know he’s not a supporter of our union. I wouldn’t be surprised if this new guy turns out to be some super-herder whom Laban brought in just to make us look bad and cripple our position in advance of the next time our collective bargaining agreement comes up for negotiation with the other owners.”

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