Expect worse for the working class
Organized workers of the world are united on at least one big thing: that the recession which has settled over much of what was once called the developed world (and if we are not wise and active, may soon be better called the undeveloping world) should not load more onto the burdened backs of the working class.
But it will. Politicians everywhere see little choice.
In the United States, right-to-work laws are being pushed hard in those states with Republican leadership. The laws stop unions from forcing non-union workers to obey union decisions in plants where they have contracts. And when these laws are on the books, the unequivocal result is that union organization and membership slump. More controversially, those who support these laws claim that investment in the state grows thus increasing the number of jobs and sometimes the level of wages.
In France, President Nicolas Sarkozy is preparing a package of measures, due to be outlined on Jan. 18 at a meeting with employers and union leaders, that he hopes will allow companies to reduce working hours and pay in slack times, with increases at a time of full demand. No one expects an agreement soon (if ever), and since the President faces a re-election battle in the spring, he is politically vulnerable to disruption. But even if Socialist candidate François Hollande, ahead now in the polls by some 10 percent, were to win, he would be trying something of the same, since French companies competitiveness is tending to fall.
http://blogs.reuters.com/john-lloyd/2012/01/10/expect-worse-for-the-working-class/
xchrom
(108,903 posts)Magoo48
(4,700 posts)We will need to wage a peaceful campaign backed by overwhelming numbers to be successful. IMO.....It feels like now is the time, because popular stirrings have awakened the ptb. We can bet that big money is working overtime on any number of suppression strategies. As these new repression methods come on line, it will become ever more difficult to implement plans designed for the good of all human beings.
RevStPatrick
(2,208 posts)"Hundreds of Foxconn employees threaten suicide"
http://www.democraticunderground.com/101422867
So yeah, I would say that expecting worse for the working class is a given...
steve720
(12 posts)GROVER NORQUIST is leading the charge for the 1% right now. With redistricting in an effort to eliminate liberal represenatives. And voter restriction laws to take over the senate.
The only way to stop this is to expose it and start a well publicized discusion about it, ON NATIONAL TV. I've. Writen to every talking head on MSNBC to start one. But one email isn't enough. I need help. Tweet, email, call or write. They won't respond till we push!