Union barber struggling in aftermath of Ferguson riots

Marty Buchheit, UFCW Local 655’s longest existing member and, at 57 years in business, quite possibly the longest working barber in the metro area, says he’s slowing down – and he hates it.

He made it through the 1960s when long hair for men was in fashion. He survived when men started frequenting salons instead of barbers. He even endured through the riots following the police involved shooting death of Ferguson teenager Michael Brown, but business has been slow to come back.

Now, Buchheit is hoping for union support to get him through a time that seems insurmountable to some.

“People ask me why I don’t retire,” Buchheit said. “I am retired. Hey, I work three days a week and enjoy what I’m doing.”

http://labortribune.com/union-barber-struggling-in-aftermath-of-ferguson-riots/