The Wow I Can't Believe That News Story Thread

[The Batlord]

Is it better for people to be mad at a strike or to feel nihilistic about labor's power to do anything?

[rubber soul]

People only worry about what's best for them, pretty selfish actually. They don't care about what is right or wrong in the end analysis. It sucks, but that's the world we live in.

[The Batlord]

Yeah not really. People have historically lived pretty communally and modern alienation is a historical oddity.

And again, is it better for people to be mad at a strike or feel like there's no point in striking cause they'll lose anyway?

[rubber soul]

It's not a matter of what is better, it's just the way it is. Reagan broke the Unions starting with the Air Traffic controllers. During his administration, I was in the UFCW and my local was notorious for kissing up to ownership. And that was a common practice just about everywhere. Even the Teamsters were tied to the Mob and the drivers would end up short changed. Maybe we should do National strikes like they have done historically in France, but let's face it, we're a bit too chicken.

[The Batlord]

No you're proving my point. You're nihilistic and so you just rationalize why you actually agree with the status quo cause to feel less powerless. There was a time people fought and died for labor rights. Things change. And then they change again. Maybe if a strike actually does some damage to the economy you might lose some of that doomerism.

[Frownland]

Originally Posted by rubber soul

I'm not saying I agree with Taft-Hartley. I'm just saying that it isn't necessarily beneficial to business. Democratic Presidents in particular have used it to bring both sides to the negotiating table and the results have often been favorable to labor.

In what way? Do you mean incremental improvement that comes with the terms the government forces unions to accept without negotiation?

[rubber soul]

Which is more than the companies would give them.


Anyway, off to bed. Have fun with your Socialist philosophies. It's been such a hit in the US after all.

[Frownland]

Originally Posted by rubber soul

Which is more than the companies would give them.

Ah so it's one of those things that's true if you ignore pretty much all of the context. If their strikes weren't illegalized they'd have more leverage in getting what they need, the state stepping in strips them of that power in favor of businesses. Every time, even if there is a mitigative half measure involved.

[Trollheart]

I'm not that well up on strikes, but none of the ones I know about seem to achieve anything. Our General Strike in 1913/14 resulted in a lockout which forced workers back. Thatcher broke the miners and all they achieved was the death of the coal industry. When there are strikes here (electricity, buses, rail etc) people have some sympathy but ultimately they want whatever they're being deprived of by the strike (coal, electricity, buses etc) and everyone ends up going back to work. Teachers' strikes, nurses' strikes, seem to get nobody anywhere.

Nevertheless, everyone should have the right to strike. Except me. As I don't work. And she'd kick my ass if I did.

[Norg]

A positive good dictator is the only way 2 go like Putin


U cant tell me that Putin does not love russia and just wants the well being & best for the russian people and wants russia great again :P