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Is Labor Finally Showing Signs of a Comeback?
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Is Labor Finally Showing Signs of a Comeback?
Is Labor Finally Showing Signs of a Comeback?
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| atuuschaaw |
Posted: Thu Apr 20, 2006 10:55 pm
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Joined: 29 Jan 2006 Posts: 781 Location: an ahwangan |
As labor activists from around the country and world converge on Dearborn, Michigan in early May for the Labor Notes Conference, it's worth reflecting back on a year that has brought back hopes for a revitalization of the labor movement.
read more... _________________ "Speaking the truth in times of universal deceit is a revolutionary act." George Orwell |
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| SharynS |
Posted: Thu Apr 20, 2006 11:53 pm
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Joined: 28 Jan 2006 Posts: 2940 Location: the 'puter |
If by "labor", Chris means people, then I couldn't agree more. Every day another one of us hits the dust and dust is very motivating.
_________________ Free speech is the whole thing, the whole ball game. Free speech is life itself. - Salman Rushdie |
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| The Third Element |
Posted: Fri Apr 21, 2006 4:07 am
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Joined: 22 Feb 2006 Posts: 368 |
I don't login or post much anymore, but for this...
<clap, clap, clap, clap, clap> Well said Siggy _________________ No Beast so fierce knows but some small amount of pity, but I know none and so I am no beast. ~ Richard III |
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| catbear955 |
Posted: Sat Apr 22, 2006 6:18 am
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Joined: 20 Feb 2006 Posts: 136 Location: Upland, Ca. |
Trade unionists have to do whatever they can to stop the wholesale demoralization of workers by powerful employers. We need to show solidarity in ways that make it difficult for employers to denigrate our efforts---a popular thing is for management to attend rallies with pizza and six-packs and act entertained---and, we need to be able to get the support of the communities where we live and work.
How do we give hope back to workers who have been beat up---not only by ruthless employers, but by lousy laws and timid leaders? We have to empower ourselves, through worker education, community involvement,politics---if the values of working families aren't important to the people who claim to represent them, we use our votes to find someone who will prioritize our issues---and take control of our future. Our future. Not "some organization that remains out-of-touch with the membership"'s future. Take the reins in places they dare not tread, or continually ignore, and move on. Let them have their power in the traditional ways;workers can amass power by building on the weaknesses shown by those who claim "victory" in the face of serious opposition. I know I'll get crap for it, but the union halls are empty and echoing for lack of member involvement---if workers won't go there, where will they go? When will it be important enough for people to step up to the plate and take on some responsibility? We don't have the time to ASSume that "someone" is working in our best interests concerning the upcoming contract negotiations in '07. All of us have to be ready for the challenge. Safeway thinks we don't have the stomach for a fight--- but they don't have a competent army in place. The management in the stores won't stand the stress---they are hanging on by a string as it is! (And they lost compensation!) We all know the second tier is not going to be loyal to Safeway---what for? We can start circling our wagons now, and be prepared, or allow ourselves to be complacent, and be victims again. It's all in our hands. We need to prepare. Why wait? Plant your victory gardens now, for harvest next year. _________________ ...a dream lives on forever... |
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| SharynS |
Posted: Sat Apr 22, 2006 3:30 pm
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Joined: 28 Jan 2006 Posts: 2940 Location: the 'puter |
"Trade unionist" - what a strange, disconnected and disconcerting term - no? It sort of gives first billing to corporate interest.
Perhaps we should rethink how we define ourselves. Something with an emphasis on values other than profit, more humanistic - people unionist, environmental unionist, life unionist. _________________ Free speech is the whole thing, the whole ball game. Free speech is life itself. - Salman Rushdie |
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| catbear955 |
Posted: Tue Apr 25, 2006 4:34 pm
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Joined: 20 Feb 2006 Posts: 136 Location: Upland, Ca. |
siggy wrote: "Trade unionist" - what a strange, disconnected and disconcerting term - no? It sort of gives first billing to corporate interest.
Perhaps we should rethink how we define ourselves. Something with an emphasis on values other than profit, more humanistic - people unionist, environmental unionist, life unionist. So, work doesn't enter into the picture? The reason we end up in unions is because of the workplace, to ply our trade---and if you believe that solidarity is the key to having more power on the job, you just might be a unionist. Without the vanguard members who fought to organize unions, and give you and I a better standard of living and more rights on the job, where would we be? If you want to expand the scope of what it means to be a union member, fine. But there is nothing shameful about the term "trade unionist". We form unions for idealistic reasons, but mainly for economic ones. After the economic problems are solved, we can go on to bigger and better things than fighting corporate greed---heck, some of us already are! If you don't like my union involvement, fine, I can accept that. But don't insult trade unionists who continue to fight for the rights of all workers on the job.We're all strugling with the disrespect that North American workers get, as if it were a crime to work for a living.How do you remove the economics from the equation, even in discussing human rights issues? You can emphasize whatever life-affirming attribute that floats your boat on the job, but when it comes to the paycheck from your employer, it is your ability to perform a service that earns your wage.If there are millions of people perfectly able to ply your trade, then the employer will use that to its advantage every time.If there is no reason for them to keep the wages competitive, or the benefits attractive---welcome to WalMart. _________________ ...a dream lives on forever... |
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| Pearson |
Posted: Tue Apr 25, 2006 7:21 pm
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Joined: 03 Feb 2006 Posts: 1417 Location: Sun City AZ |
Quote: But there is nothing shameful about the term "trade unionist". Where does shameful fit into the whole of the UFCW and their behavior catbear? When is too much, too much? I posted this piece http://forums.uncharted.ca/about208.htmlin part to get your response...so now i'll press the issue; how do you feel about what has gone on for the past twenty years? Is it too much? Or were these guys just being good trade unionists? As we speak, rumor has it there are huge offers being made to local union presidents to sell out to become part of the Loveall dynasty. Is that right? Is it just good business? Help me understand where your umbrage is over guys who have taken more than their share. Yup, i hate employers who screw workers...but then i expect them to. What i hate more is union leaders who screw their members...i never expected that. It's good to have passion, to be a zealot, but the first thing you better be able to do is look openly and honestly at what is going on around you. You'll never save the world as long as the world you want them to join is festering amidst a bunch of guys who are looking out for their own self interests first. Help me here CB, this isn't just one or two greedy guys getting theirs, this IS the leadership of the UFCW...and they are determining your future; irrespective of what you or your local does or doesn't do. _________________ If we don't do it, who will? |
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| SharynS |
Posted: Thu Apr 27, 2006 3:17 am
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Joined: 28 Jan 2006 Posts: 2940 Location: the 'puter |
It was merely an observation cb. "Trade union" may have connected or may have been relevant at one time, or inspired solidarity. The obvious reasons notwithstanding, I don't think that's true anymore.
I think the "trade unionists" would be turning over in their grave if they could see what modern day "trade unionists" have done with their sacrifice. They fought for progress and that's certainly not what's happening in any "trade union" these days. Incase you haven't noticed, we're going backwards. The employer leverage you mentioned isn't just a flash in the pan - here today and gone tomorrow - it's progressive. That's a fairly good indication that "trade" union is missing the twenty-first century mark IMO. _________________ Free speech is the whole thing, the whole ball game. Free speech is life itself. - Salman Rushdie |
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| catbear955 |
Posted: Sat Apr 29, 2006 5:21 am
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Joined: 20 Feb 2006 Posts: 136 Location: Upland, Ca. |
If those old white guys at the top on both sides don't have a clue about the backlash against the all around lack of leadership, every thing that they do will be in the name of self-preservation. Union members have to be particularly vigilant, and hold the feet of our leaders to the fire to make certain this plan works---and all of us can be a part of this winning strategy. Take some action!
We want to return to progress.We want to move forward into a future that is as potentially prosperous for the employees as it is for the employer. The fact is that we do need each other; workers just don't need to be the ones who do all the sacrificing for the bottom line. The price of gas has caused many people to get the message we have been pounding the streets over---CEO pay is excessive. Record profits shouldn't tcontinue to come off of the backs of the loyal, hardworking employees. So--- while you are pumping your own $3.25 per gallon gas,and the radio tells you about the Exxon Mobil CEO's parting gift of $400 million dollars---what are you thinking? How nice for him; maybe gas should be $5.25 instead...I don't think so! Get involved and get your two cents in; then let's see where we are next spring. _________________ ...a dream lives on forever... |
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| Pearson |
Posted: Sat Apr 29, 2006 1:36 pm
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Joined: 03 Feb 2006 Posts: 1417 Location: Sun City AZ |
Quote: We want to return to progress.We want to move forward into a future that is as potentially prosperous for the employees as it is for the employer. The fact is that we do need each other; workers just don't need to be the ones who do all the sacrificing for the bottom line. Funny, why does it seem like it's been the workers/members paying the price? Sure as hell doesn't seem like the leadership are the ones digging deep. I love this crap about executives and how much they are making. What the hell about the bloated leadership. What about the excesses there? You cannot ignore the shit that has gone on CB. I was willing to buy into the premise that Joe Hansen was going to be different; and then he played the game with the ELECTION/merger at 588 and the truth came out. Then he handed over another plumb job to the president at 1288 so the deal went smoothly. Then he trashed the members that were standing up/fighting back and we saw what they are really all about. Horseshit is still/always gonna be one smelly pile, no matter how you try and disguise it. Even when you turn your head and pretend it isn't there, the odor is. The stuff i listed in the link i have given you are facts, not impressions, and i'm still waiting for your reactions/thoughts. _________________ If we don't do it, who will? |
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| SharynS |
Posted: Sat Apr 29, 2006 2:52 pm
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Joined: 28 Jan 2006 Posts: 2940 Location: the 'puter |
Quote: If those old white guys at the top on both sides don't have a clue about the backlash against the all around lack of leadership... But many many of the troops were needlessly lost in previous backlashes, the SoCal masacre to name the most recent. And that doesn't take into account the thousands of others maimed and injured by friendly fire. The ctw rhetoric is to die for? _________________ Free speech is the whole thing, the whole ball game. Free speech is life itself. - Salman Rushdie |
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| catbear955 |
Posted: Thu May 04, 2006 2:38 am
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Joined: 20 Feb 2006 Posts: 136 Location: Upland, Ca. |
Look. How much more is it going to take to get you to see the changes---however small---that are occurring. Is it not the wish of all of us to see the focus return to the workers' interests? Are you ready to step up and push for what you believe is right for our future?
Joe Hansen is heir to a legacy of backslapping and back-room deals, of face-saving agreements that serve no one but the principal negotiators. That was the way things got done over the years, and as long as everyone was still working---small concessions weren't so bad if the big picture was still intact. But those days are long gone; ten years ago the employers began to circle their wagons and we didn't bother to attack; as long as they didn't come out shooting we were good for another three years.Meanwhile, we weren't battle-ready; complacency had set in like a cancer and "someone else" was doing the job.Members, for the most part, were uninformed and uninvolved. Were we ripe for the picking? Hell, yes. All our decisions were made for us, we just signed and kept working. The need for new strategy was obvious in '03, and in '07 we cannot possibly withstand more of the same old rhetoric and technique. Change to Win came about for more reasons than dissatisfaction with the AFL-CIO model of labor peace at any cost.Where was the impact of the So Cal strike? We cost the employers plenty, and ruined the holidays---but we did not shut them down. We didn't turn away all the customers. And only the striking and locked out workers, trying valiantly to survive on the picket lines, were hurt beyond recovery. We are scarred, and still hurt and angry. How do we get back what was ripped from us by the illegal practices and unholy alliances that caused the strike to be prolonged beyond all expectations? The courts will drag their feet and the Big 3's lawyers will do what they can to slow the process to a crawl, but until we have an opportunity to reap the rewards of the legal system---uncertain as they may be---what can we do? We can start by showing a little solidarity. We can all continue to take part in the process, and speak out, and point out the obvious when necessary. We can get to the union halls, the political clubs, our churches, the coffee shop---the internet---and start the dialogue! What happens here is a good start, but if you want two things---serious union reform and bargaining success---it's time to start working toward those goals. We need to unite behind our common interests and move forward so we have the necessary power to prove our strength---not only our worth---to these companies. People are waking up to the reality of the US-Bush administration's atrocities;NAFTA,CAFTA, global conflict paid for by our tax dollars. It's not only the price of gas, it's the cost of everything we've come to expect as a part of our daily lives---housing, utilities,food,medicine and health care. American workers' wages are not keeping up with the rate of inflation, and our debt ratio shows it. And at every turn, we are expected to help sustain the richest employers by taking the smallest cut---and being grateful for it. Working families deserve better.Whether it's the Change to Win Foundation, the UFCW, a new Administration in the White House, or a grassroots movement powerful enough to force another "New Deal"---the working people in this country have got to stand up for themselves, and take control of the direction this country is taking. Either that, or face a nuclear conflict and if you live long enough, retirement in poverty. No thanks. _________________ ...a dream lives on forever... |
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| SharynS |
Posted: Thu May 04, 2006 3:49 am
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Joined: 28 Jan 2006 Posts: 2940 Location: the 'puter |
Quote: Look. How much more is it going to take to get you to see the changes---however small---that are occurring. "More" implies that there's already been a change. Refresh me, what change? What's different? And it doesn't count that 'they' say it's changed or that they've created a name which suggests something has changed, or will change and that we will win something - what changes are occurring? I do agree, some people are waking up for sure. _________________ Free speech is the whole thing, the whole ball game. Free speech is life itself. - Salman Rushdie |
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| Pearson |
Posted: Thu May 04, 2006 12:50 pm
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Joined: 03 Feb 2006 Posts: 1417 Location: Sun City AZ |
Quote: Look. How much more is it going to take to get you to see the changes---however small---that are occurring. Is it not the wish of all of us to see the focus return to the workers' interests? Are you ready to step up and push for what you believe is right for our future?
Is it the wish for all of us CB? Do you honestly believe the 588 debacle was about anything other than keeping the Loveall dynasty alive? At what point does the stomping of members become wrong? Quote: Joe Hansen is heir to a legacy of backslapping and back-room deals, of face-saving agreements that serve no one but the principal negotiators. That's the point CB, Joe Hansen is the guy leading you/us to the promised land. Do you think your president has the balls to call him on his actions? Do you think she (and others in her position) are ready to say this kind of crap has to stop? The fact is no union can rebuild itself without the members. No union can praddle on about workers rights and then piss down the throat of the members and destroy the democratic process. No union will ever see a resurgence by negotiating shit wages for members and then paying themselves huge salaries with lavish benefits and perks. I wanna believe CB, but the sad fact is, actions speak a thousand times louder than words. Following Joe's behavior in the 588 ELECTION/merger leaves me believing this is still about the same old same old. _________________ If we don't do it, who will? |
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Is Labor Finally Showing Signs of a Comeback?
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