this post was submitted on 31 Oct 2023
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Work Reform
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A place to discuss positive changes that can make work more equitable, and to vent about current practices. We are NOT against work; we just want the fruits of our labor to be recognized better.
Our Philosophies:
- All workers must be paid a living wage for their labor.
- Income inequality is the main cause of lower living standards.
- Workers must join together and fight back for what is rightfully theirs.
- We must not be divided and conquered. Workers gain the most when they focus on unifying issues.
Our Goals
- Higher wages for underpaid workers.
- Better worker representation, including but not limited to unions.
- Better and fewer working hours.
- Stimulating a massive wave of worker organizing in the United States and beyond.
- Organizing and supporting political causes and campaigns that put workers first.
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Unfortunately the Taft-Hartley act made political and solidarity strikes unlawful. Solidarity strike ≈ General strike. There are some very minor differences, but I don't see that mattering.
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Taft%E2%80%93Hartley_Act
That's the point. If all the contracts expire at the same time, it's a coincidence, not a general strike in the eyes of the law
I'm not sure that the public declaration would not void that defense on the grounds of collusion.
The NLRB decides whether or not it violates labor law. I can tell you with absolute certainty that this strategy has worked on a smaller scale for decades.
Don't get me wrong, I want a general strike. I want a full economy general strike. I am so tired of abusive employers being able to get away with the BS they do. I have some faith in the NRLB, and I hope they don't pull any BS of their own when the time comes.
No worries! I didn't assume you were against widespread action or anything like that. I'm an organizer, so what I've learned is that most people are completely (intentionally) uninformed about our rights as workers. I didn't think you had all the info, so I went to educate
Fair enough. I am a massive proponent of educating people on what they are missing as well. I'm trying to make sure my stepdaughter knows all about them before stepping into employment, but it is kinda hard to teach a teen. I have read pretty sizable portions of the FLSA, FERPA, and FMLA and their various modifications.
My biggest worry with a "coincidental" ending of many union contacts simultaneously is that we will have an even more conservative Congress in 4 years and they end up pulling shit that just completely guts the whole labor rights concept. Hell, they are successfully bringing back child labor instead of forcing companies to compensate adults properly.
What are they going to do, throw the entire working population in jail?
If I had to guess, I'd say the actual answer isn't jail but "start shooting" while also pumping propoganda about those lazy union guys who just don't want to work.
All the effective strikes are illegal.
Fucking exactly. We're only allowed to have small relief valves to prevent riots, we aren't allowed to actually fight for a better future.
Interesting that it was a Republican sponsored bill, and voted in by a Republican Senate and House.
Also interesting that the President Truman had vetoed it.
A political, solidarity, secondary strike etc. is where a union or group under an in-force bargaining agreement are not allowed to strike just because their friends/fellow workers are striking. While not under a collective agreement then they can strike. If everyone's agreement expires simultaneously, then it is possible for any or every group to strike.
An interesting read, thank you for sharing.
The anti-communism slant in the law was slightly humorous to read, as it shows you the times in which the law was written.
Okay. The police will just have to arrest hundreds of thousands, if not millions of people all across the country then.