Some of the political discussions that go on lead me to believe that most people nowadays don't know how,why and when they were formed. Especially the why. Union membership has sunk to around 7% and I want opinions as to why that is so and what and who has caused the decline.
Thank you brother Scratcho , for posting one the most important reasons America is in rapid decline today . What's sad to me today is not many on the left today know the importance of the the labor fight today . And when it goes , there's not going to be much hope left . Unions are the VERY reason we have any and all benefits today from eight hour workdays , holidays and weekends . I have been a union member for over 25 years . And I can say it's all but gone ! Right now the union busting right is weilding all the power against unions . They have destroyed our indutrial base , once our union strength . And are now going after our last hold out public sector union members like teachers, post office , and next social security . The goal of the right is to bust our public sector unions and privatise the post office . When organized labor goes , what other force for justice and workers rights can take their place ? It's the fight of our lifetime and we are losing badly ! With the breakup of the A.FL./C.I.O. and country club 50s mentality , Unions are their own worst enemy . When we show a weak house , expect the right to pounce . Because if there is one thing that scares the shit out of them is organized , united labor ! It's why they work tirelessly to destroy it . They fear it more than anything else . And I will say this, it's time for a NEW real labor movement in this country .. And I believe if it doesn't come very soon we are done as a country . United we stand and bargin , divided we fall and beg . This is an important issue ! Trade unionist in the forums , should have a forum ! To teach labor to some who don't understand it or it's importance . And I thank you for making this thread .
Yes ,more understanding is needed. If millions made their demands known,this country might not be in such dire straits today. "They" keep pushing and pushing in their very well thought out plan to relegate the working middle class to oblivion and unfortunately it's worked. The youngins don't realize the power in well organised labor. They seem to be just rolling over and taking whatever scraps are being offered.
In the early days of unions, the rights and legal protections of hourly workers in this country were absolute shit, and drastic action was needed. The abuses of workers by management would fill a thick book (and has done so, many times). Over the years, unions have become victims of their own success, as many worker protections have been written into law and workers see the unions as less of a necessity. Right now, the main threat to the typical hourly worker seems to be outsourcing to another country, and unions seem to be powerless to do anything about it, so the typical young worker once again does not see that union membership can do much for him or her. If I knew the solution to this problem, I would tell you. Personally, I believe that unions are owed some degree of loyalty due to the things that they have accomplished in the past. But that isn't going to get us anywhere.
Last Fall the Republicans tried to damage Ohio with a union busting law. The state is very conservative but I was so proud that the proposal was voted down. http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/11/08/ohio-issue-2-_n_1083100.html :2thumbsup: I am sure they will try to push something similar through again.
Obviously it's the cons that have been against the unions since they began. Cons want peasant labor, not fair wage labor for their corporate buddies. It's also why they want to destroy health care. Those coal miners standing behind Romney yesterday are too ignorant to know that if the cons get in power, they will be working for minimum wage, and getting black lung decease. Actually, they'll be working for less than that, because the cons will destroy the minimum wage too.
