Ford workers, under economic blackmail from the federal government and the UAW “union” rejected a concession contract two weeks ago. The vote represented the first rejection of a national contract since 1982. For anyone seeking evidence that the American working class is still a highly militant force- and that their “unions” are little more than a management organization of the bosses- the struggle at Ford provides an excellent case study.
Over the last 20 or so years, unions in America have ceased to be unions in anything but name. Far from being fighting organizations of the working class, they are management organizations which impose the demands of capital. Nowhere is this more evident than in the auto industry, where the UAW owns large sections of the Big Three auto companies, going so far as to add the name of the respective corporation onto the union (e.g. “UAW-GM”). The UAW acts as a battering ram for forcing the demands of bosses down the throats of workers, often resorting to fraud and even taking kickbacks from capitalists.
This is another example of “the left”- intellectual and political scoundrels that they are- being far behind the working class. Ford workers consistently oppose the UAW. Most “left” groups spend their time providing “left” cover for the trade union bureaucracy under the auspices of “reforming” it. My favorite whipping boy, the International Socialist Organization has taken the occasion of the first rejection of a national contract in over two decades to completely ignore it, instead cheerleading for the reintroduction of capitalism in Eastern Europe, debating on the subject of “animal rights,” and promoting illusions that capitalism generally and the Democratic Party in particular are capable of meaningful “reform” in the realm of health care. And I’m the one who’s “out of touch with reality.” Right.
In closing, I would urge everyone to read this article from the World Socialist Web Site on the resurgence of class conflict in America. If it’s TL;DR for you, at least take a look at the graphs which confirm, not only the perspective of the International Committee of the Fourth International on “unions,” but also the materialist analysis of sociology in general.
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Interesting article. One should always take notice when the rank-and-file reject a contract or wild cat. The AFL-CIO have forgotten the strike is their most power weapon instead kissing up to the bosses or countinuing their disfunctional marriage to the Democrats. Signing long-term no strike contracts just gives the owners and managers more time organize their opposition which leads to the weakening and the death of the local union. Job control, wages and safety are the big three reasons people join unions. If you let the bosses undermine these things workers know that they are on their own.
| November 12, 2009 @ 3:49 pm