Austria is an example of strong and honest labor unions. We literally don’t have a legal minimum wage because almost everyone is in a union that negotiates decent wages. The unions here also stand up for the general business community and try to promote prosperity for all sectors. The main drawback is lack of flexibility—it’s harder to hire and fire workers.
I remember talking to a Milwaukee electrician at the airport in Portugal and he was telling me about all the people he knew who died at construction sites. He worked on Miller Park back in the day or whatever it’s called now.
Anyway enjoy a non-football Labor Day! Sept. 1 is also the “official” start date of WWII but that depends which country you ask.
We watched a lot of Handmaid’s Tale - a well-crafted (and, quite frightening) show. I don’t think I’m qualified to speak about the benefits of bargaining units, given that my employer is nearing the 3-year mark in a strike by our lone remaining union - we’ve settled with seven other unions, and less than a third of the remaining unit ever went on strike - the other 2/3 of them crossed the line and remained on the job - Solidarity Forever!
Love this one. I need to go back and listen to more revolutions pod, I think I did the first few seasons. (Dan carlins hardcore history has gotta be a top fav forever!)Spent the first part of my adult life as much beleaguered rank and file union member. I came out that experience pretty nihilistic of the future of workers, one major part that workers are just not self organized and I don’t see that changing. How workplaces are set up will be a challenge to that, it’s not 1800s shop floors and mines. The communist manifesto is good and it is naive in part cause it was written for a more universal audience. I think 18th Brumaire is his real crown achievement and very relevant to the time re trump.
I know, they are crazy. They’re good listening if you’re training for a marathon/half or some other long training. Or roadtrip. Prophets of Doom is a good single episode, Blueprint for Armageddon is a good series.
As someone who has both benefitted from (as a faculty member) and navigated alongside (as an administrator) bargaining units in public education, I can truly say that teachers unions (at least in New York - and likely throughout the Northeast and New England) are one of the last bastions of united organized labor in this country. Meaning - the rank and file members are mostly aligned with their leadership. It’s the reason I have an amazing pension waiting for me in retirement (for now), and it’s the reason we struggle less in New York with attracting new talent. There’s a reason the national teachers’ unions are so often attacked by a certain set of politicians. I think that means they are absolutely doing something right.
After reading your comment Tim, I’m left wondering how the other state’s teacher’s unions are faring. If what happened here in Wisconsin has happened in other states? I know we were national news at the time (and not in a good way).
Oh yes. I remember your governor at the time making it his mission to take them down. And so easily too. I go to conferences around the country, and it’s always interesting when I talk with administrators from other states without unions, especially in the southeast. They are always in awe of the rules we have to follow. And yet they complain about not being able to fill positions. I wonder why? They have zero protections in a terribly fractured society.
Somehow, inexplicably, union rank-in-file continues to vote against its own interests. The parties are not the same on unionization.
I don’t know enough about unions to really talk in depth about It. But it seems their diminishing role in labor is not good.
Austria is an example of strong and honest labor unions. We literally don’t have a legal minimum wage because almost everyone is in a union that negotiates decent wages. The unions here also stand up for the general business community and try to promote prosperity for all sectors. The main drawback is lack of flexibility—it’s harder to hire and fire workers.
I remember talking to a Milwaukee electrician at the airport in Portugal and he was telling me about all the people he knew who died at construction sites. He worked on Miller Park back in the day or whatever it’s called now.
Anyway enjoy a non-football Labor Day! Sept. 1 is also the “official” start date of WWII but that depends which country you ask.
Interesting! Yes, there is a large statue outside the stadium honoring the three workers who died.
It’s called American Family Field now (AmFam for short) but most people still just call it Miller Park.
I’m off to google Sept 1 and WWII…thanks!!!
Mayday is an apt name for that group.
For real
We watched a lot of Handmaid’s Tale - a well-crafted (and, quite frightening) show. I don’t think I’m qualified to speak about the benefits of bargaining units, given that my employer is nearing the 3-year mark in a strike by our lone remaining union - we’ve settled with seven other unions, and less than a third of the remaining unit ever went on strike - the other 2/3 of them crossed the line and remained on the job - Solidarity Forever!
Ha!
How in the world can they have been on strike for three years??
I don't know, man - as for me, I'm way too loyal. . .to a paycheck.
Straight cash homie
Love this one. I need to go back and listen to more revolutions pod, I think I did the first few seasons. (Dan carlins hardcore history has gotta be a top fav forever!)Spent the first part of my adult life as much beleaguered rank and file union member. I came out that experience pretty nihilistic of the future of workers, one major part that workers are just not self organized and I don’t see that changing. How workplaces are set up will be a challenge to that, it’s not 1800s shop floors and mines. The communist manifesto is good and it is naive in part cause it was written for a more universal audience. I think 18th Brumaire is his real crown achievement and very relevant to the time re trump.
Do you have any particular Carlins ones you’ve liked? They are all just sooo long I’m intimidated by them.
Hadn’t heard of that other book. Just placed a hold for it at the library, thanks!!
I know, they are crazy. They’re good listening if you’re training for a marathon/half or some other long training. Or roadtrip. Prophets of Doom is a good single episode, Blueprint for Armageddon is a good series.
Ha, well the marathon thing is NOT gonna happen for me 🤣
Thanks, I’ll try those!
Fuck yes, Henny. Love all of this!
Well geez Lindsey, that means a lot. Thank you!!
As someone who has both benefitted from (as a faculty member) and navigated alongside (as an administrator) bargaining units in public education, I can truly say that teachers unions (at least in New York - and likely throughout the Northeast and New England) are one of the last bastions of united organized labor in this country. Meaning - the rank and file members are mostly aligned with their leadership. It’s the reason I have an amazing pension waiting for me in retirement (for now), and it’s the reason we struggle less in New York with attracting new talent. There’s a reason the national teachers’ unions are so often attacked by a certain set of politicians. I think that means they are absolutely doing something right.
After reading your comment Tim, I’m left wondering how the other state’s teacher’s unions are faring. If what happened here in Wisconsin has happened in other states? I know we were national news at the time (and not in a good way).
Oh yes. I remember your governor at the time making it his mission to take them down. And so easily too. I go to conferences around the country, and it’s always interesting when I talk with administrators from other states without unions, especially in the southeast. They are always in awe of the rules we have to follow. And yet they complain about not being able to fill positions. I wonder why? They have zero protections in a terribly fractured society.