When you read the bloody history of labor struggle in this country you realize that we are just about back to where things were before the powerful and hard-fought New Deal labor reforms were established. And barring another catastrophic event like the Great Depression, it is hard to see how things get better given the degree to which the U.S. Constitution is inherently hostile to the kinds of central state-building efforts (like those of the New Deal) required to fix labor-capital relations (indeed, the New Deal was a sort of miracle by U.S. standards). I am not optimistic. There seems to be very little resistance from the weak unions we have left (I am a FUN member, and their calendar for April is virtually empty), and anyway, there is no real left to speak of anymore in this country of the kind that preceded the New Deal reforms (exhibit A -- the "left" is still talking more about "Tr*mp bad" than embracing any sort of program that might cohere as an alternative). Bernie tried to build that left structure back up to some extent in milder form, but we see how the corporate party machine crushed him to dust. The only thing I can think of that might spark a change is a widespread crisis brought on by the climate further destabilizing, which seems to be well in the works, so we will see. But by the time that starts happening in ways that affect people on a wide enough scale, we are truly in uncharted territory.
Anyone who thinks that a presidential election won't change much because "if it actually changed anything they wouldn't let you vote on it" hasn't looked at the Reagan Administration for more than like 3 minutes. What an unnecessarily shitty 8 years that was. Ugh.
As per usual, a great article. I wish I had better ideas, but I am afraid that you are right and this is it.
Either the Unions and Workers get ready to organize straight away and without institutional help, or they will perish altogether. The only alternative seems to be that some effort of public, courts and business community fueled by unhappiness with Trump and Tariffs and other shenanigans swipes this administration away before it gets around to doing precisely that, but I really wouldn’t hold my breath for that.
Solid....having been in four unions, working two as an apprentice, heart problems sidelined me. (More? IBEW Local 22 sent me packing year one--I pointed out my TBI but no go). As an Ironworker working on permit, Local 21, most of the work was during the summer (1993-2002). I've always supported collective bargaining. Membership #4 was SAG. I chanced on a national TV commercial while in NYC. A few episodes as an extra. (I was BD Resource teacher for Omaha Public Schools 1993-98. Didn't shake out either.)
Bottom line? Union is the only way to go. What I also found, post-trauma, like one guy said, "You can find a job but you can't keep one." Trying to publish book, "It's Monday and I"m Working." As an apprentice carpenter, when Monday rolled around, I knew I'd be working.
There is an old union saying “Educate, Agitate, Organize.”
If unions aren’t educating and organizing in this moment we should develop working class “Freedom Schools” to develop organizers. This could be done coming off the Bernie/AOC rallies and local actions like May Day and Tesla Takedown.
Leading up to the 2024 presidential election it was estimated that up to 70% of union members backed Trump. Dems have an opportunity to reform relations with organized labor, and they should bring forward specific policies and programs to do that. But unions are going to have to sort out their members overwhelmingly supporting the most anti-union president since Reagan and possibly ever.
When you read the bloody history of labor struggle in this country you realize that we are just about back to where things were before the powerful and hard-fought New Deal labor reforms were established. And barring another catastrophic event like the Great Depression, it is hard to see how things get better given the degree to which the U.S. Constitution is inherently hostile to the kinds of central state-building efforts (like those of the New Deal) required to fix labor-capital relations (indeed, the New Deal was a sort of miracle by U.S. standards). I am not optimistic. There seems to be very little resistance from the weak unions we have left (I am a FUN member, and their calendar for April is virtually empty), and anyway, there is no real left to speak of anymore in this country of the kind that preceded the New Deal reforms (exhibit A -- the "left" is still talking more about "Tr*mp bad" than embracing any sort of program that might cohere as an alternative). Bernie tried to build that left structure back up to some extent in milder form, but we see how the corporate party machine crushed him to dust. The only thing I can think of that might spark a change is a widespread crisis brought on by the climate further destabilizing, which seems to be well in the works, so we will see. But by the time that starts happening in ways that affect people on a wide enough scale, we are truly in uncharted territory.
Anyone who thinks that a presidential election won't change much because "if it actually changed anything they wouldn't let you vote on it" hasn't looked at the Reagan Administration for more than like 3 minutes. What an unnecessarily shitty 8 years that was. Ugh.
Some More News has some excellent pieces that dive into this.
How (And Why) The Right Stole Christianity
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wHdjjXQHxzs
Everything Bad is Ronald Reagan’s Fault, Pt. 1
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3WfgGDkWzYU
How Ronald Reagan Gave Us Donald Trump, Pt. 2
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E5eTGbxJxl0
How The Right Sold Christianity
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=71CeCbef8Gc
My European SIL, hearing what work is like here, asked, “Are there no unions to protect the workers?”
As per usual, a great article. I wish I had better ideas, but I am afraid that you are right and this is it.
Either the Unions and Workers get ready to organize straight away and without institutional help, or they will perish altogether. The only alternative seems to be that some effort of public, courts and business community fueled by unhappiness with Trump and Tariffs and other shenanigans swipes this administration away before it gets around to doing precisely that, but I really wouldn’t hold my breath for that.
Solid....having been in four unions, working two as an apprentice, heart problems sidelined me. (More? IBEW Local 22 sent me packing year one--I pointed out my TBI but no go). As an Ironworker working on permit, Local 21, most of the work was during the summer (1993-2002). I've always supported collective bargaining. Membership #4 was SAG. I chanced on a national TV commercial while in NYC. A few episodes as an extra. (I was BD Resource teacher for Omaha Public Schools 1993-98. Didn't shake out either.)
Bottom line? Union is the only way to go. What I also found, post-trauma, like one guy said, "You can find a job but you can't keep one." Trying to publish book, "It's Monday and I"m Working." As an apprentice carpenter, when Monday rolled around, I knew I'd be working.
No argument but this will often require unions striking without their leadership’s authorization. Fine with me.
There is an old union saying “Educate, Agitate, Organize.”
If unions aren’t educating and organizing in this moment we should develop working class “Freedom Schools” to develop organizers. This could be done coming off the Bernie/AOC rallies and local actions like May Day and Tesla Takedown.
Shaun Fain.... biggest dumbass in town. Didja get played smart guy?
Leading up to the 2024 presidential election it was estimated that up to 70% of union members backed Trump. Dems have an opportunity to reform relations with organized labor, and they should bring forward specific policies and programs to do that. But unions are going to have to sort out their members overwhelmingly supporting the most anti-union president since Reagan and possibly ever.
Union voters in 2024 were +16 points for Kamala Harris.
https://www.americanprogressaction.org/article/while-other-voters-moved-away-from-the-democrats-union-members-shifted-toward-harris-in-2024/
Thank you for citing this election statistic and including the link.
Ah! Well, nevertheless