I certainly hope you are correct! I was part of two organizing efforts in my working past, neither were successful. I was part of a factory electrical workers union that was well financed by workers, but when lay offs happened suddenly you were just out, no one in the Union Hall had anything to offer you, you simply were no longer in the union, period. The last union I expected to belong to was the Machinist Union, I got through the probation period by two days, no union rep offered me membership and I was laid off never to be recalled again. I understand the concept of a union, but my experience certainly missed the mark of what I had felt was a brotherhood. Now to old to recover from all the bad things that happened in my working career, I am still a true believer that Unions can work, but they have to grow into the poorer unions with solidarity to bring them along with the trade unions to better conditions and higher wages.
As noted above, some optimistic sunbeams. Far from certain good things will result. And, if the history of the union movement is any indication, there will be a great many fits and starts... progress succeeded by setbacks, etc. I'd like to think things are on the ascent... but then I tend to walk on the sunny side of the street. Thanks much for reading and reacting. --K
I certainly hope you are correct! I was part of two organizing efforts in my working past, neither were successful. I was part of a factory electrical workers union that was well financed by workers, but when lay offs happened suddenly you were just out, no one in the Union Hall had anything to offer you, you simply were no longer in the union, period. The last union I expected to belong to was the Machinist Union, I got through the probation period by two days, no union rep offered me membership and I was laid off never to be recalled again. I understand the concept of a union, but my experience certainly missed the mark of what I had felt was a brotherhood. Now to old to recover from all the bad things that happened in my working career, I am still a true believer that Unions can work, but they have to grow into the poorer unions with solidarity to bring them along with the trade unions to better conditions and higher wages.
As noted above, some optimistic sunbeams. Far from certain good things will result. And, if the history of the union movement is any indication, there will be a great many fits and starts... progress succeeded by setbacks, etc. I'd like to think things are on the ascent... but then I tend to walk on the sunny side of the street. Thanks much for reading and reacting. --K