Synopsis: Quark’s brother Rom goes against Ferengi law and tradition and organizes a strike.
This episode can be seen as an illustration of some of the reactions that can occur when the Logos-driven rational conscious ego is made aware of bits of material from the Eros-driven irrational unconscious. Sometimes the ego feels its way is the only way, and these bits of material are repressed, but sometimes the material is acknowledged and integrated into the conscious ego. The latter is the union of opposites, or what Carl (C. G.) Jung also called individuation, the ongoing process by which an individual’s ego becomes stronger and the psyche more whole. Sometimes in order for this to occur, the ego must use functions that are not perceived as its strengths.
In “Bar Association” business has hit a dry spell for Quark due to the “Bajoran Time of Cleansing” when Bajorans refrain from all the activities that occur in his establishment. In spite of this, when his brother, Rom, falls ill he is not offered any time off because of his Ferengi labor contract. This shocks Dr. Julian Bashir, who tells Rom that he needs a new contract. Also, because of the slow period in his business Quark decides to cut the pay of his staff by a third. Rom, returning to the Infirmary for another treatment for his illness, mentions this to Bashir. Chief Miles O’Brien overhears, and tells Rom about a great labor leader from the past. Rom decides to organize a union of Quark’s employees and they go on strike. Captain Benjamin Sisko then becomes involved by reminding Quark that the Federation is his landlord and that if he doesn’t end the strike he will be responsible for back rent. Settling however has implications far beyond the station because this action is illegal for Ferengi’s to participate in. All Quark’s possessions, as well as all of the possessions of his Ferengi employees and their families are in jeopardy. A settlement is reached – the union’s demands will be met if Rom agrees to dissolve it. Rom does, but then quits his job at Quark’s.
In this episode Starfleet regulations and personnel can be seen as representing the conscious ego, and the Ferengi rules and traditions as symbolizing the unconscious. Starfleet believes its rules are to be followed, however, the Prime Directive, the noninterference order, is hard to enforce in casual conversation, such as Bashir and O’Brien voicing their opinions to Rom, even though they were not asked for. This leads to a massive bit of meddling in how Quark runs his establishment. Sisko exerts pressure in a Ferengi-like ultimatum. Eventually Quark gives in to the union’s demands. This illustrates how sometimes the conscious ego, in order to get its way, which it feels is the best course of action, sometimes has to use its less developed skills in order to move forward. But it is in using methods that are inferior that sometimes lead to a breakthrough in integrating bits of unconscious material into the ego so that it can become stronger and the psyche more whole.
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