Unveiling the Zany Truth: Julie Gautreau's Viral Tweet About Her Dad's Bike and the Union

Skylar Hawthorne

Updated Saturday, July 6, 2024 at 12:00 AM CDT

In a world where social media platforms constantly churn out viral content, some tweets stand out more than others for their sheer humor and relatability. One such tweet that has taken the internet by storm comes from Julie Gautreau, known on Twitter by her handle @julie_goats. Her tweet sheds light on a family story that is as zany as it is revealing.

The tweet features a small circular profile picture of Julie Gautreau, who is seen smiling while wearing a light-colored hat and sunglasses. Posted on May 15th, 2022 at 7:10 PM via Twitter Web App, the tweet humorously captures a slice of her family's history with a twist of irony.

Julie recounts, "Daddy said growing up in the coal mines, one year for Xmas he got a toothbrush, the next year he got a bike, times were so unpredictable! I heard that story for years, finally relayed it to my grandma. She said, 'Tell your dad he got his bike the year we got the g*****n union.'"

The tweet not only provides a window into the unpredictable nature of life in coal mining communities but also underscores the pivotal role unions played in improving workers' lives. Julie's grandma’s punchline about the union marks a historical milestone while adding a layer of humor that resonated with many.

User reactions to Julie's tweet have been varied and insightful. One commenter humorously questioned, "But what about the union dues? You wouldn't want that taken out of your paycheck, would you? /s." Another user shared a more somber reflection, "The only thing and I mean the only thing I don't like about my union is that once you're at the top of the scale, you can't get raises based on performance. So a lot of people just do the bare minimum."

Another commenter provided a poignant narrative from their own experience, "Used to work in the fishing industry. They'd work for raises for the guys, not for the women. When we brought that up, the union rep informed us that 'women don't need raises, they have husbands.' That union got booted out - mostly by the guys who didn't."

The tweet also sparked discussions about labor rights in the modern era, with one user noting, "Here in the US, doesn't OSHA represent about 90% of what Unions were supposed to address in the first place?"

Julie Gautreau’s tweet has done more than just amuse followers; it has ignited conversations about labor history, gender equity in the workplace, and the continuing relevance of unions today. In an age where social media often serves as a platform for fleeting trends, Julie's nostalgic yet witty anecdote stands as a reminder of the lasting impact of storytelling.

As more people share their own stories and reactions, Julie Gautreau's tweet continues to gain traction, proving that sometimes, the most compelling content comes from genuine, personal experiences laced with a touch of humor.

For more such engaging stories and to join the conversation, follow Julie Gautreau on Twitter @julie_goats.

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View source: Imgur

Top Comments from Imgur

C***Crotchula

But what about the union dues? You wouldnt want that taken out of your paycheck would you? /s

Exyr

The only thing and I mean the only thing I don't like about my union is that once you're at top of scale you can't get raises based on performance so a lot of people just do the bare minimum. Which is fine. But as someone who likes to work as hard as I can to pass the time ots also like why am I working 3x harder than jeff when we both get paid the same and we're gonna get the same pay raise next year.

rubypilgrim

Used to work in the fishing industry. They'd work for raises for the guys, not for the women. When we brought that up, the union rep informed us that "women don't need raises, they have husbands." and "guys have households to support." When it was pointed out to them that the majority of women in the plant were single and hadn't had a raise in years, he went into a Marxist rant about "the masses". "We're not a mass." "Yes you are." That union got booted out - mostly by the guys who didn't -

Safflower777

You want the truth? Go to Grandma!

splud

Here in the US, doesn't OSHA represent about 90% of what Unions were supposed to address in the first place?

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