But to the Freedom Foundation, a business-backed Olympia think tank, the day is evidence of the power of unions, which to members equals the decline of America. Rather than stoop to taking a union-backed day off, they plan to fight the power by ... working all day Monday instead!
“I can’t think of a problem in society that can’t be traced in some way back to the abuses of organized labor, so it would be hypocritical of us to take a day off on its behalf,” said Freedom Foundation CEO Tom McCabe.
So what exactly is so bad about organized labor? Let's look.....well, they stopped this:
Pesky unions stopped child labor exploitation, at least in the US.
Other things they were largely responsible for:
So enjoy your day off unless you have to work of course.
Well, I work for a non-profit, which offers no benefits. I am restricted to part-time hours so they can eliminate the need to pay benefits required by the state labor laws; unions are discouraged (unofficially banned) around here. However, the unions were largely responsible for changes to federal labor laws, which directly influenced the legislating of state laws, from which I might benefit, if my company allowed me to work more than 25 hours a week. My town black-balls union activists from getting any kind of work here, even in a union shop (they're owned by companies which depend on government contracts to survive).
ReplyDelete(Wait...I do have 18 hours of vacation time each year, but I haven't used any for more than three years.)
I'm working today because I have no paid holidays, and need the income too desperately to take a day off. I've worked the last two weeks with so-called walking pneumonia to avoid losing hours.
Single working women are the newest 'face of poverty' in America, whatever the hell that means.
On the bright side of my whining, at least I have a job...today. Never sure about tomorrow.
DeleteDammit. That's all so wrong.
DeleteYup, labor unions are the target of the Republican Party and their minions. Guess that's why I like labor unions.
ReplyDeleteIn one of my last visits to my dad before he passed he listened to something I was saying about work....he said "If the people you like are pissed at you, you're doing something right."
DeleteUnions are the last bastion of government by discussion, also known as democracy. First thing fascism does is destroy labor unions --by propaganda at first, later by firing squad. With all my heart, Happy Labor Day!
ReplyDeleteHow has homeland security not hauled you off to Guantanamo??
DeleteMy great-grandfather was in the IWW, and I assume those black suburbans parked out front are nothing I need fear....
I suspect homeland security is so full of interdepartmental secrets that its own agents can't be sure if I'm not one of them.
DeleteI'm with Geo. What prehistoric rock do these people live under. My father was a white collar worker at Goodyear Aircraft, as it was called in those days. Sometimes he took the bus to work (which probably took him about an hour) so mom could use the car during the day. I remember picking him up at Goodyear, one such time, and we could not drive down to the hangar, where he worked. The union was on strike and we could not cross the picket line. When dad had hiked up a half mile to where we were parked my ten year old self demanded an explanation, got it, and inquired why he wasn't mad at "those picketers." To which he responded all boats rise in a rising sea, and his was rising, too, by their effort. I can remember learning that, hanging over the back seat of our car.
ReplyDeleteIsn't it ironic that that slogan, '...lifting all boats" was used to further tax breaks to the rich to explain how they would use the savings to invest in industry, hence more jobs. The origins of the phrase go back to JFK, but was popularised by RR in the 80's I think.
DeleteI've got Pete Seeger going in my skull now, thank you...
ReplyDeleteI too am in non-profit. An upshot is we're small and we look out for our own. Downside, no bennies or holidays, but I rarely get sick and don't really bother with holidays much.
Robbie: I'm hearing Joan Baez singing "Joe Hill."
DeleteHuh, odd. When I look at the post musically I hear the Clash, or Rage Against the Machine.
DeleteIt's nice that my few, less than minions, are talking amongst themselves.
I was very lucky to have found myself in a state public employees union for the last 18 years of employment. I often found myself lecturing co-workers who complained about the dues.
ReplyDeleteI fear I've never been in a union, I just admire their accomplishments.
DeleteThatcher emasculated the trade unions in he Uk years ago..
ReplyDeleteNow only the tube workers in London are protected by a robust body
All the others are impotent
Trust the Brits to use 'emasculated' in a comment. As a medico, you must have the same image in your mind when you hear the word....a guy advancing on your with a penknife.."Ok sir, this is going to hurt a little...."
DeleteNow I'm going to find a way to use it in a sentence tomorrow.
I spend the majority of my working career in the field of labor/relations. I was a long time steward and union official and also spent many years as a labor relations specialist, dealing with labor unions for a huge employer. Knowing both sides of the table really well, I believe there is still a great need for unions. My attraction to the field of labor relations, must be a genetic thing, because one of my relatives was Ben Tillett, who started the English Dockers' Union in 1897 and was the driving force behind the formation of National Transport Workers' Federation in 1910 (also in England).
ReplyDelete