this post was submitted on 11 Aug 2023
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chapotraphouse
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It's part of why I have moved on from "more trade unions is the most important thing." Yes unionization is important and more unions is better than the fewer unions in every way, but they can easily be a dead end. Between the horrible laws in the US that restrict union activity and the reactionary thinking of "fuck you what's in it for me" that is standard to Americans, there's only so much unions can do.
It's why I think a revolutionary workers' party is necessary that works closely with unions but isn't beholden to them.
Part of the reason I went for this job is because of an episode of Revleft. I cant remember the episode and its been years now... but they spoke about a lot of trade unions being very right leaning, especially for being a union. In particular, the IBEW is especially bad. But, getting lefties into these groups and pushing then further left is possible and very impactful.
Amazon workers trying to strike in the town over? Well, good thing the utility workers have class solidarity. It'd be a shame for something to "happen" to Amazon's power.
Man it's amazing, I work with some super-right wing people- like borderline Q conspiracy nut jobs
But as long as I'm careful about with my phrasing, I can go almost full Marx on their ass and have them nod along. At least when it comes to labor issues.
Guys at my place have the thin blue flag on their trucks. I'm in a similar situation.
"Class solidarity"? Thats communist junk. "A win for you is a win for me"? Hell yeah, brother.
"The bourgeoisie's interests can never align with the proletariat" might actually get me punched in the face. "The boss don't give a shit about you" will get a "damn straight!".
“We have strict rules about using exclusionary language in organizing committee meetings” will lose you half the room.
“If you wouldn’t say it in church, you don’t say it here” gets near unanimous nodding heads and grunts of approval. If I can get a bunch of middle class white Christians to chastise someone for using bigoted language and all I have to do is not say, “fuck” or “shit” during meetings, I’ll take that trade every time. It’s funny as shit to see.
well said
AYYY found the episode
Climate Change as Class War: Building Socialism on a Warming Planet
https://open.spotify.com/episode/0fskXlQ1Qrzf19gJlx2v0E?si=-69zj3n2Rg6k1-5Fa91AEQ
Hey, I appreciate your posting
Aw, thanks 😊
It goes back to the AFl. Gompers led a much more exclusionary union movement, and as time went on became more racist and anti-communist. However the reason a trade union federation was needed and is still a great development for that moment is because the Knights of Labor fell apart and fell apart hard. So a more organized "profession" union of trade workers with the specific purpose of collective bargaining directly with management proved effective in a time of serious reversals of labor power.
The problem is these things are not a substitute for socialism, and in fact create a stronger labor aristocracy. I can't blame the craft unions for taking their shot and gaining those wins for themselves. It is a response that sadly makes sense even if you isolate yourselves. And as organized labor is crushed again, it is obvious that the same process is happening.