Recent Working ITT Stories

The nonunion workforce will continue to see government workers as part of a privileged class. The cycle can only be stopped if the labor movement can find some way to increase its numbers among nongovernment workers by naruto
Posted by jupi wolf on 2010-10-12 01:08:05 Dear Akito: Glad you found it useful. I have consistently benefitted from your thoughtful contributions. I think you zeroed in on an exciuciatingly painful but too--often avoided point about labor's popularity. In short, my message was that labor must stress tax inequities much more heavily---and devoted considerable resources to this project-- and be visibly fighting for the interests of the entire working class. Best,, Roger
Posted by Roger Bybee on 2010-08-19 13:02:14 Roger, Thanks for the additional insight. Akito
Posted by Akito Yoshikane on 2010-08-19 11:40:00 Dear Akito: You very neatly draw out the contours of a serious problem for labor. 1.ISOLATION OF PUBLIC SECTOR UNIONS As Lou Siegel adds, labor has become also ghetto-ized to the public sector, and particularly vulnerable to attack because the public sector is funded by regressive taxes. 2. UNIONS HAVE IGNORED EDUCATING PUBLIC ON TAXES In my observation, public employee unions have done little education of their own members--much less the broader public--about the pro-corporate, pro-wealthy tilt of state and local taxes. All 50 states have become drawn into a kind of "demolition derby," competing with other jurisdictions by slashing corporate taxes, weakening regulations, and promoting low wages. Until Americans fully understand the self-destructive nature of this demolition derby, the competition for a "good business climate" will mean lower corporate taxes and higher homeowner taxes. Public employees will inevitably get blamed. That is, unless public unions use their resources to run TV ads and use other media to point out the fundamental injustices shaping our tax systems and the destruction caused by inter-state competition for jobs. 3. POWERLESSNESS: My guess is that one hard-to-quantify element in labor's slipping favorability is public disappointment in the union movement's inability to take a forceful, visible stand against the upward re-distribution of wealth. In the past, labor had sufficient density to force even non-union employers to raise wages and improve conditions. But now--especially given the absence of localized labor activism against job relocations, home foreclosures, and other outrages--people see little visible effort coming from labor. Lobbying in Washington and the state capitols is essential for the interests of working people and the public, but generates little tangible belief that labor is actively fighting for the average working family. Best, Roger Bybee
Posted by Roger Bybee on 2010-08-19 08:47:36 The rapid decline of private sector union membership has left unionized government workers isolated and vulnerable to attack. The failure to pass any version of EFCA makes it that much more difficult - or impossible - to organize in the business economy. The nonunion workforce will continue to see government workers as part of a privileged class. The cycle can only be stopped if the labor movement can find some way to increase its numbers among nongovernment workers. Is this possible?
Posted by Lou Siegel on 2010-08-19 06:05:46

Recent Working ITT Stories

Get the Latest News & Updates

About this Blog

Working In These Times Contributors

Recent Working ITT Stories

Get the Latest News & Updates

About this Blog

Working In These Times Contributors

RECENT WORKING ITT POSTS