Labor Unions And The Problem With More

[Albert Di Salvo]

Globalization is killing the American labor movement in the private sector. Imo it has no future. The correlation of forces against the labor movement in the private sector are overwhelming. There are no labor unions in China.



Labor Unions, and the Problem With "More"

By Louis Woodhill

"It is interesting to watch so-called "Progressives" tout 19th century solutions for 21st century problems. One such initiative is "high speed rail", upon which the Obama administration proposes to spend $53 billion. However, another (and far more economically destructive) goal is "increased unionization"....

...Unions are in a difficult position today. They exist to get "more", but they can only get more if someone else can be forced to take less. As economies have globalized, capital has become increasingly mobile, making it impossible for unions to extract "more" from business owners. This has forced unions to seek to try to get "more" at the expense of nonunion workers, taxpayers, and the involuntarily unemployed. Even with the support of government force, "more" is becoming increasingly difficult to come by, and union efforts to extract "more" are becoming increasingly resented..."

Read more: http://www.realclearmarkets.com/art...r_unions_and_the_problem_with_more_98861.html

 

[Khayembii Communique]

It's pretty funny to be asserting that this is a 21st century problem when this argument has been around for the past 200 years...

 

[haymarket]

A hack writer from the Club for Growth crusading against labor unions!!!!

No thanks.

 

[Putsch]

Who cares about labour organisations. They're a complete anachronism and breeding ground for communists.

 

[haymarket]

Who cares about labour organisations. They're a complete anachronism and breeding ground for communists.

That is amazing!!! A post got here all the way from 1951 postmarked from Wisconsin.

 

[Albert Di Salvo]

It's pretty funny to be asserting that this is a 21st century problem when this argument has been around for the past 200 years...

Globalization is what has made it impossible to disguise the truth any longer for American workers. The elites in this country have now exposed American workers to direct competition with Third World workers. Learn Mandarin.

 

[Putsch]

That is amazing!!! A post got here all the way from 1951 postmarked from Wisconsin.

It IS a breeding ground for communists, who hijack unions for their own nefarious intents. Every communist/socialist party is involved in the unions. Indeed, it's their specific intent to co-opt them. Are you denying this?

 

[haymarket]

Globalization is what has made it impossible to disguise the truth any longer for American workers. The elites in this country have now exposed American workers to direct competition with Third World workers. Learn Mandarin.

Its unfortunate that our Constitution did not foresee some mechanism to protect American markets and workers to prevent a race to the bottom.

 

[Albert Di Salvo]

That is amazing!!! A post got here all the way from 1951 postmarked from Wisconsin.

1951 was the Year of the Rabbit. 2011 is also the Year of the Rabbit. How appropriate. Sort of like book ends.

 

[haymarket]

It IS a breeding ground for communists, who hijack unions for their own nefarious intents. Every communist/socialist party is involved in the unions. Indeed, it's their specific intent to co-opt them. Are you denying this?

Another post from 1951. Wonders never cease.

 

[Albert Di Salvo]

Its unfortunate that our Constitution did not foresee some mechanism to protect American markets and workers to prevent a race to the bottom.

My heart says that you are right. I weep for this new generation of Americans. The burden accumulated by our generation will be borne by the innocent.

 

[Putsch]

Another post from 1951. Wonders never cease.

Socialist Party USA

For some reason the CP-USA website is down, but I can assure you it reads pretty much exactly the same. I can further list several socialist/communist party websites from the UK and Denmark which all talk about unions in the same way, for the purposes of their own agendas. Make wise cracks all you like, it doesn't alter the truth.

Fait accompli.

 

[Concept]

Its unfortunate that our Constitution did not foresee some mechanism to protect American markets and workers to prevent a race to the bottom.

This is why I have so much faith in this country. The Constitution does provide for protecting American workers; it's only a matter of whether the conservative Supreme Court would uphold it. The Necessary and Proper clause, the General Welfare Clause, among others, can technically support a law that props up American markets and workers.

 

[Illumination]

Unions alone are not to blame. Our foreign policies (including trade policies) deserve just as much blame. The "free market" domestically does not exist. We are currently in the process of raising the standard of living in poorer nations while lowering that standard in our own.

 

[DontDoIt]

Everyone knows unions had their place, time to GTFO

 

[cpgrad08]

Unions at one time had there place but now most them are just big business. That they say they fight.

 

[spud_meister]

Unions need to have their power reduced, they fulfil an important role, but they've got too much sway.

 

[Lord Tammerlain]

Unions need to have their power reduced, they fulfil an important role, but they've got too much sway.

In the US it depends on the sector of the economy

Private sector union membership in the US has been declining drastically and is lower then it has been in decades. Definately not much sway in the private sector

Public sector unions only have power because elected officials are to scared to play hardball due to public opinion polls showing disatisfaction with lack of services. But given a poli with an attitude any union can be busted ( see Air traffic controllers during the reagan admin. Realistically in the US, unions are not the problem, they represent to little of the economy to be much of a factor in why the US has faced any economic problems. Poor management focused on short term profits, to much focus on investment income, rather then production for profits is another

 

[Albert Di Salvo]

In the US it depends on the sector of the economy

Private sector union membership in the US has been declining drastically and is lower then it has been in decades. Definately not much sway in the private sector

Public sector unions only have power because elected officials are to scared to play hardball due to public opinion polls showing disatisfaction with lack of services. But given a poli with an attitude any union can be busted ( see Air traffic controllers during the reagan admin. Realistically in the US, unions are not the problem, they represent to little of the economy to be much of a factor in why the US has faced any economic problems. Poor management focused on short term profits, to much focus on investment income, rather then production for profits is another

This thread refers to private sector unions, not public sector unions. You are quite correct in making the distinction explicit.

 

[Real Korimyr #9]

If it's not the Communists, it's organized crime. The unions served their purpose in a country with no labor laws and no OSHA. Now, they are an impediment to economic growth and an obstacle for honest American citizens seeking reasonable employment.

 

[haymarket]

Everyone knows unions had their place, time to GTFO

You would be wise not to speak for EVERYONE until EVERYONE has given you the go ahead on that.

 

[Khayembii Communique]

Globalization is what has made it impossible to disguise the truth any longer for American workers. The elites in this country have now exposed American workers to direct competition with Third World workers. Learn Mandarin.

LOL, do you not understand that this is the exact same argument used against strikes way back in the early 20th century? What is the difference? The fact that they're moving the plant to a different country instead of a different state, or instead of shutting it down altogether?

"But we can't afford a minimum wage! That would be too costly! We would have to shut down the plant!" :roll:

If it's not the Communists, it's organized crime. The unions served their purpose in a country with no labor laws and no OSHA. Now, they are an impediment to economic growth and an obstacle for honest American citizens seeking reasonable employment.

Yes, of course! Who needs organizations dedicated to defending these gains? We're past that stage, right?

 

[Albert Di Salvo]

LOL, do you not understand that this is the exact same argument used against strikes way back in the early 20th century? What is the difference? The fact that they're moving the plant to a different country instead of a different state, or instead of shutting it down altogether?

"But we can't afford a minimum wage! That would be too costly! We would have to shut down the plant!" :roll:



Yes, of course! Who needs organizations dedicated to defending these gains? We're past that stage, right?

Tell that to the Chinese Communist Party. They don't permit labor unions.

 

[Khayembii Communique]

Tell that to the Chinese Communist Party. They don't permit labor unions.

They also have one of the lowest minimum wages in the world.

Workers' rights are hindrances on the extraction of surplus value. Regardless of the form this statement comes for justifying trampling over working people and their rights, it always boils down to this same statement.

 

[Real Korimyr #9]

Yes, of course! Who needs organizations dedicated to defending these gains? We're past that stage, right?

It would be all well and good if they were only defending these gains. Like any good political movement, once they achieved their goals they set new ones in order to maintain relevance. They are hampering American competitiveness in international markets, and the net result is that they are hurting American workers.