Goodyear steel-workers strike? Today?

[patrice]

http://www.reifenpresse.de/CDML007/en/gast/detail.php?t=km&tk=768674&RecID=11266

There is other important non-Foley stuff going down today.

[MuseRider]

1. Apparently they just walked out here. n/t

[patrice]

2. Isn't this pretty significant?

Are Unions being "re-born" (pardon the allusion)?

I'm ignorant of what the specific issues are with Goodyear, but these ARE Steel-workers, one of the most destroyed unions there are. If THEY can be effective, if there is solidarity, that would seem pretty important.

[Fierce]

4. "Destroyed"?

Where do you get that?

[patrice]

7. Every since Reagan they've been attacked and weakened and reduced

to little more than social organizations.

[Fierce]

9. The Steelworkers?

"Social organizations"? What on earth are you talking about?

[patrice]

14. It is pretty obvious that unions don't have near the power

that they used to have.

[Fierce]

18. Dude, don't put the tag on the toe

before the body's dead.

Also, a strike is not a reason to rejoice.

[patrice]

22. I wasn't rejoicing. Just pointing out that this could be important.

[patrice]

12. Oh yeah, I was also alluding to the fact that the domestic Steel Industry

has been destroyed by Imported Steel, ergo the Steel-workers' Union has been weakened by a weak market.

[Fierce]

16. Don't call it a social organization.

For God's sake. And yes, the steel industry has been undercut. That does not necessarily weaken the union. They're one of the more militant trades out there. No one should be surprised at their solidarity.

[MuseRider]

5. As you, I am not up

on the specifics so I don't know if it is good or not but I am certainly glad there is enough support and solidarity there to strike. I am really afraid of losing the unions.

During our local noon news they were showing all the trucks pulling out, a long line.

Crossing my fingers and hoping this is good.

[patrice]

3. BTW, where's here?

I want to tell the union people I'll probably see at the World Can't Wait rally this afternoon.

[MuseRider]

6. Sorry

Topeka, Kansas.

[patrice]

8. OH, I know you.

I've stood on a street corner (Gage Blvd.) with you and others who are against the Invasion of Iraq.

[MuseRider]

10. Yup.

At one time or another. I am not there today though :(.

[Greyhound]

11. You'd never know it from reading DU. n/t

[Fierce]

13. DU is the last place I come for union support.

And then when I look for it here, I rarely find it.

[Greyhound]

15. Yes, it seems we are adopting all of the wrong lessons from

the Re:puke:s. STFU, and go stand in the corner until we need your vote, then go away and stop bothering us.

[Fierce]

17. Yup.

Problem is, many of us stand in line for the honor.

(Now I'm getting wound up.)

[patrice]

19. It is not helpful to anyone to tell pretty stories about anything.

The fact is that unions, "God" bless them, are way weaker than they used to be. That isn't an absolute; it doesn't mean that they can't be strong again, but that's got to start with the truth. And the truth is that they have to be something more than social organizations.

I grew up in a strong union household. My Dad used to brag on his union at the dinner table. Being in a union used to be as important as being a member of a church. Not anymore. I hope that changes.

"Now it is time that gods came walking out of lived in things . . . ." R.M. Rilke

[Fierce]

20. Are you a member?

nt

[patrice]

23. I was when I was a teacher.

I'm not now.

And I'm not ready to make that kind of sacrifice to start something where there is nothing, and loose my job, but that doesn't mean I don't care and don't have hopes for those who are trying where it is possible to have success.

[malaise]

21. A General strike would be real effective

REpukes love them in Eastern Europe complete with flag-waving.