If we want to hurt globalization, create strong global unions

[mot78]

Try getting people in countries that receive outsourced jobs to unionize. This would discourage American companies from outsourcing, since one of their motives to to get cheaper labor. If workers in India began having jobs that pay even higher, then may we'll see a slow down in free trade.

[Birthmark]

1. That's what's going to happen sooner or later.

The sooner we do it, the sooner it gets done.

[mot78]

3. Imagine those IT employers complaining about "Oriental Socialism"

if that happens.

[the Kelly Gang]

2. Unionize Now !!..more than ever we need strong Unions.

[dmkinsey]

4. The primary reason

global corporations choose to build factories in the countries that they choose is precisely because those are the countries that absolutely prohibit unionization of the workers.
The right to organize is a fundamental plank in the Democratic platform and you're right,the way to keep our wages from falling is to raise wages worldwide.
Unfortunately it would require massive strikes,street battles and many deaths to secure the right to organize most third world shops.

DaveK

[mot78]

6. That is a downside, but global unions make sense in fighting globalization

Free trade would actually become "Fair Trade" and employers would have to come up with more legitimate reasons for outsourcing, which would force them to keep jobs in this country. Personally, I don't believe we should resort to outright protectionism, but we need law and order so global laissez faire doesn't imbue the working class with tyranny.

[dmkinsey]

9. I agree,

the law in this country has been so tilted toward capital that it has practically made unions obsolete.
Management is now permitted to bring in "replacement workers" to continue operation during a union action. This defeats the whole purpose of organizing. If the union can't stop the companies cash flow they're at the mercy of management.
In the Thirties and Forties the union people fought real battles for the right to organize. That right is barely in evidence in our country today.
And the rest of the world is in dire need of unionization. The WTO is just a license for capital to roam the globe searching for new people to exploit.

DaveK

[papau]

5. While we are at it lets get a union into WalMart, banks and insurance.

white collar NEEDS unions!

[Merlin]

7. Do it! Unions are the key to a strong, liberal democracy.

It was the unions who used to educate Joe Sixpack about how the Republicans used working people by pretending to be on their side while really ripping them off. Nobody's around to do that anymore.

Unions are vital in a free enterprise, capitalist system. Without them, management will always abuse its power.

[Merlin]

8. Absolutely right. It should be the Primary Effort in reforming the WTO.

There is no reason we should not press for trading reforms stipulating that trading partners MUST at the very least PERMIT the formation of free, independent trade unions. I have no problem whatsoever boycotting goods from countries which do not.