this post was submitted on 06 Sep 2023
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Work Reform

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They’re wielding new tactics with low-wage workers after decades of failed organizing efforts.

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[–] Chetzemoka@kbin.social 70 points 1 year ago (1 children)

"Unions make people lazy" "Unions make people less creative, less likely to work to fix problems" "Unions make employees fight with each other" "Unions mean we'll earn less money"

The propaganda I've heard from older generations is really incredible. We're still actively unionizing lol

[–] rockSlayer@lemmy.world 50 points 1 year ago* (last edited 1 year ago) (1 children)

I know this sounds crazy, but traditionally conservative Republicans actually agree a lot with leftist ideas about unions. I met a person that is an alt-right Trumper. The first and probably last time we were talking, it was about work and things along those lines with his wife and my fiancee also in the conversation. Without using any terminology associated with the left, I had the guy enthusiastically nodding along with things like "act your wage" and "companies want to pay us less to do more". I know that if I had uttered the word union, it would not have been a pleasant conversation.

My point is that Republican politicians have created a nearly Pavlovian response to leftist terms. The only thing standing in the way is getting past those trained thoughts to sow class consciousness. I wish the organizers luck, it's long overdue for the impoverished south

[–] guyrocket@kbin.social 10 points 1 year ago (1 children)
[–] sangriaferret@sh.itjust.works 1 points 1 year ago (1 children)

My first thought as well, ha.

[–] guyrocket@kbin.social 1 points 1 year ago

I think this sketch is some truly artistic social commentary. And it is really funny. Respect, SNL.

[–] watson387@sopuli.xyz 26 points 1 year ago* (last edited 1 year ago) (2 children)

The only way this works is if people join. I’ve worked in quite a few right-to-work states. There is a lot of poverty and there is always someone willing to work more for less money. That is also true in the north, but unions already have a foothold here. Republicans also have convinced a lot of people down there that unions are just trying to steal your money.

Edit: Just to clarify, while I don’t do that type of work anymore, I’ve been a member of the IBC for over 20 years.

[–] Sunforged@lemmy.world 16 points 1 year ago

This is why outreach is so important. It takes one on one conversations to change peoples view of the situation.

Some of the best tactics I have seen lately is foregoing standard tabling and throwing community barbecues. Brought out more people and their families to a situation they weren't transitioning between, it left alot more space for good conversations. Obviously that can't happen every week, but it is a great strategy to increase union drive engagement.

[–] Ensign_Crab@lemmy.world 9 points 1 year ago (1 children)

Republicans also have convinced a lot of people down there that unions are just trying to steal your money.

Lotta people don't realize that there's no silver medal in the race to the bottom. There's always someone who is more desperate than you to be exploited.

[–] watson387@sopuli.xyz 4 points 1 year ago

Right. And companies have mastered the art of exploitation down there.

[–] PuppyOSAndCoffee@lemmy.ml 13 points 1 year ago

Unionize health care and Disney and you have unionized the south.