🚀 go-pugleaf

Amy Echo-Hawk's question about the concerns of the American worker got me
thinking.  There is a problem with the framing of the question that I am
struggling with.  To ask what are the concerns of the American worker
would be similar to asking what are *the* concerns of any other group or
even ethnicity.  The problem is, there is no one answer to that
question.  For each working class person, the issues are different
bringing in the plethora of personal life experiences and needs.

Generally, since the end of World War II, Labor as a formalized entity,
recognized and regulated by government, has focused on a narrow agenda of
three specific issues:  hours, wages and working conditions.  In exchange
for official legalization of unions and recognition, radicals, communists
- in fact anybody who wanted to discuss redefining the entire social
makeup of our country - were purged from union ranks.  One of my
professors, Dan Leahy, director of the Evergreen State College Labor
Education and Research Center, argues that the Cold War was, in reality,
a Cold War against Labor.

To unify interests at home, the capitalists created a world monster in
the Soviet Union.  People who proscribed alternative economic orthodoxies
were considered "agents" of this evil empire.  The "deal" I talked about
where the government recognized unions in exchange for limiting
discussion to hours wages and working conditions, worked as long as we
were able to continue our expansionist activities abroad with the support
(and most often) intervention of our U.S. Military.

Unions found themselves on the defensive after we lost the war in
Vietnam.  A national organization of CEO's from the largest corporations
in the U.S. (many multi-nationals) formed the Business Roundtable.
Capital freaked.  As long as we could expand through conquest, we could
offer higher benefits and wages to workers.  ONce it became clear that
the U.S. lacked the ability to intervene in the manner it had before,
capitalists realized that resources would not expand as previously
counted on.  Thus, the organized in the late 70's to break the deal and
to actively oppose union activities and demands.  They were inadvertently
helped by the Carter Administration who set a blueprint for givebacks and
worker concessions in the deal to save the Chrysler Corporation.

Since then, unions have been on the defensive.  Part of the problem,
IMHO, is that unions have not been actively organizing not only members,
but working to build coalitions with communities of color, Gays and
Lesbians, and workers internationally.  Not to mention, working to bring
the local church and community on board, like the Pittston Coal Miners
Union did in Virginia.  They organized *before* their contract expired,
and had the whole community *including* small businesses professing
support for the unionized work force which, after all, is vital for their
local community.

I know I haven't answered Amy's question.  It's  just too big.  I
recommend reading books like 'The Cold War Against Labor.' and 'Rank and
File.'  I also encourage you to consider looking at books like "American,
What Went Wrong?" and "The Politics of Rich and Poor."

Just one person's take on this.

BTW:  To get a great article called "The Deal is Dead" contact Dan Leahy
or Helen Lee at the Labor Center (206) 866-6000 ext. 6525.  I think you
can email them at peacenet@laborcenter (though that may be a bit off).

Take care,

Tom Freeman				Phone:  (206) 866-6000 ext. 6894
Development Director			Fax:    (206) 866-6797
KAOS Olympia Public Radio
The Evergreen State College - CAB 301
Olympia, WA  98505
<freemant@elwha.evergreen.edu>

Unless otherwise stated, the opinions here are those of the author and do
not necessarily reflect the views of the staff or management of K.A.O.S. or
The Evergreen State College.


On Tue, 21 Jun 1994, Amy EchoHawk wrote:

>
>
> I'm not trying to be facetious, I'm just unclear, what are the
> lives & concerns of the American worker?  Who defines them & how
> are they defined?
>
> --
> Amy Echo-Hawk.  Oregon Public Broadcasting aechohaw@ednet1.osl.or.gob
> Yakama/Pawnee
>