As the Union president, he understood the inescapable logic in Leo's words: without the Renaissance Plan, there was no social safety net; without a social safety net, the moment the port was automated, they would be obsolete.
Morganfield wanted to avoid paying that toll.
Reynolds's Adam's apple bobbed. He slowly lowered his arm and glanced back at the men behind him.
The man in the lead stopped moving, stopped shouting.
That hesitation instantly spread to everyone behind him.
The crowd, which had been pushing and shoving, trying to storm the steps, came to a halt. The waving placards drooped.
The fanatical hatred directed at Leo lost its focus in the face of their leader's silence, transforming into a bewildered, dead quiet.
Leo keenly seized the tactical opportunity.
He walked to the very edge of the steps.
Pointing at Reynolds, pointing at the workers holding the signs.
"I told him no."
"I said, social safety net first, then industrial upgrades! That is my logic!"
