How has big business convinced the American Worker that they do not need a voice?

[Omaha Steve]

http://laborunionyes.blogspot.com/2009/09/labor-day-things.html



Sunday, September 6, 2009

Today, I attended a lecture at a local church given by an AFL-CIO guy. It was an good talk, but not entirely labor related. Some of the highlights included the fella talking about how the Latino's are going to benefit from increased labor representation...and how the labor movement would benefit from more Latino involvement. This much we agreed on. He discussed health care and the opposition, he talked bout the employee free choice act, and then fielded some pointed questions.

The problem was....he didn't really ANSWER any question, very political, dancing responses. Also, it is Labor Day weekend, in a room full of Labor supporters...MAKE a little noise! Get some people excited! Pound the podium with your fist! Lets get riled up!

Also, I read about today that the Gallup poll has released new data saying that less than 50% approve of Unions. The lowest polling data since they began asking the question in the 30's. This tells me two things. 1. People are ignorant about what Unions are and what they do. 2. This is nothing new, the opposition is MUCH better funded and organized than Labor.

Take the Employee Free Choice Act. Most of the country works...most of them are employees. I'd wager that most of the employees would say that they value democracy, that the majority should have its voice heard. Yet, many of these people are so easily convinced that the majority should be silenced. That all the rights should go to the company. It is appalling.

[Earth Bound Misfit]

1. K & R!

Off to the Greatest.

[thatlbaldlguy]

2. possible solutions to your good comments

People are ignorant about Unions because the leaders and more importantly the members, are not educating our nonunion brothers and sisters about unionism. The solution to this problem is for us to go out and talk to our neighbors about unions. Our opposition is better funded and currently better organized but that need not always be the case.
The fact that unions are not as popular now is no surprise because of the slow death of so many heavily unionized industries such as manufacturing. In addition, people are not happy about anything right now... including CEO's, Unions, and their own Government. People are pissed off right now and the fact that unions have 50% overall approval is not something to be sad about because I promise you that it is a hell of allot higher then corporate America or even Government approval. I am willing to bet you that at least some of those who disapprove of unions would want to be unionized themselves. Lastly, this is a roughly equally divided country that is increasingly and incredibly polarized and until that changes we should get used to 50-50 splits on most issues.
The fact that roughly 10% of the workforce is unionized and 50% of workers approve of unions tells me that we that we have a big problem. We need unions to start to organize more AND pass the employee free choice act so some of that 50% can join a union if they wish to.

I honestly don't know what happen to our leaders... I don't know what happen to the fire in their belly.

[Omaha Steve]

3. Welcome to the DU

And the Labor Forum.