It is front page news that the AFL-CIO is breaking apart in a dispute over how to revive labor's lagging fortunes. A total of four unions, with two of the largest and more successful unions, the Service Employees International and the Teamsters, are rebelling against the leadership of AFL-CIO President John Sweeney.
To many of us it seems apparent that they have become too political in nature and less driven to represent the broad base of their members and get things done on their behalf.
Look where the steel industry and auto workers are today. They have been members for what, forty plus years....or more? How's that been working out for them? But, by gum, they sure can tell us what is morally right when it comes to marriage, homosexuality, abortions, etc., etc., etc.
Go read the editorial at Opinion Journal "Very Old Labor Unions need a vision for the new global economy."
And report back to me, thank you.
To many of us it seems apparent that they have become too political in nature and less driven to represent the broad base of their members and get things done on their behalf.
Look where the steel industry and auto workers are today. They have been members for what, forty plus years....or more? How's that been working out for them? But, by gum, they sure can tell us what is morally right when it comes to marriage, homosexuality, abortions, etc., etc., etc.
Go read the editorial at Opinion Journal "Very Old Labor Unions need a vision for the new global economy."
And report back to me, thank you.
posted by HeavyHanded at
10:30 AM
4 Comments:
Outstanding article!
Whether or not you believe greedy management continues to exploit the working man is no longer the immediate and greater danger is that global competition threatens both.
By
Anonymous, at 8:28 AM
There has always been and will always be "greedy management", for man has warts. This is an area where I know someone with whom I can discuss this topic, and I know I can press his "hot button".
And I must admit, enjoy doing so from time to time. Shame on me. While he agrees in the basics of this problem with me, he takes it to a higher problematic level than do I.
His answer to everything seems to be regulation.
At any rate, where and how did we get to this point where global competition is so threatening to us?
We have the skills, manpower and resources to keep ourselves afloat, regardless of what the "global community does."
I am not advocating "total isolationism", but certainly we can pull back some and re-emphasize taking care of ourselves first.
By
HeavyHanded, at 9:51 AM
Well, as I expect you know you have answered your question. 'We' no longer believe 'we' should take care of ourselves; 'we' believe the federal government should take care of us. Hence your friends regulations solution? It is certainly why the Dems think people should vote for them and keep them in power.
It is not just global compeition we fear; it is any competition.
By
Anonymous, at 11:51 AM
Yes, it was a rhetorical question, really. And, you are 100% right in your assessment that "It is not just global compeition we fear; it is any competition." You are spot on as the English like to say.
By
HeavyHanded, at 6:24 PM
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