Pro-labor/union DUers -- UPDATE

[MSchreader]

Brothers and sisters;

I know it has been a while since I wrote. I apologize for the delay, but it has been quite a busy time over the last two weeks. Where to begin?

As some of you may recall, I was chosen by the membership to organize strike preparations. The organizing has been going well, and the initial structure is beginning to take shape. Labor/community support is beginning to coalesce into a group, and union support is being lined up.

The first significant move was the founding of the Workers Defense Fund, which is a non-partisan defense and relief organization that will coordinate strike support activity and fundraising. Currently, the folks involved in WDF are working on getting a bank account and PayPal service set up. We don't need funds yet, but as soon as we do, I'll pass the hat.

At the last Union meeting, we had a long conversation about how management was going to use the annual bonus we previously received as part of a "carrot-and-stick" approach to contract negotiations. The chief steward even went so far to predict that management would come to us with a "bonus" (complete with strings attached) just before Christmas. Sure enough, management came to us yesterday -- individually, not as a group -- to tell us that a "pre-signing bonus" of $500 was going to be distributed with the weekly paychecks. The catch was that we would not go on strike and just wait for the negotiators to ... well, sell us out.

Today, I am as proud of my brothers and sisters as I can be, because every single one of them refused the "carrot" bonus (just as we decided). We suffered our first real test of solidarity, only two days before Christmas, and passed with flying colors.

Because of this shameless maneuvering by management, many of our brothers' and sisters' kids are having a hard Christmas -- if any at all. At least, they would be if not for the generosity and good will of fellow Union members locally and my comrades in the Socialist Party. Tomorrow morning, Christmas Day, members of the Workers Democracy Caucus of my Union, the WDF and SP (myself included) will be going around to all the houses of my co-workers who have children and delivering presents. Our view was that the lack of bonuses should not be allowed to ruin the holidays for any of us. Again, I could not be prouder of my comrades, brothers and sisters for stepping forward like they have.

That is the update for now. I hope you and yours have a joyous holiday season. I will send another update after the New Year.

In solidarity;
Martin

For reference: The original post

[mac56]

1. Good work, Martin!

I'm proud of you, and of your union brothers and sisters.

Stand tough, brother, and Merry Christmas.

[RoeBear]

2. Are you trying to sound...

...like a communist?

"my comrades in the Socialist Party"

[artr2]

3. No this is the way union people talk

and that is not communist. And why are you putting down our UNION brothers & sisters?

[RoeBear]

7. Excuse me, I'm a UAW...

...member in Michigan. We find the word 'comrade' offensive.
We have no desire to have communist influence in our union or country.

[MSchreader]

10. You wouldn't have a UAW to speak of

If not for us oh-so-evil Socialists and Communists.

The next time you use your Union benefits, remember who helped get them for you.

Martin

[buddhamama]

13. Yep

sad that the majority of our citizens are unaware of Labor's history.

[RoeBear]

14. Yes, I'm aware of the history, and...

...I'm glad my union has been able to get out of the grip of comnunists and socialists. They were useful at the start but are discredited now.

I find it interesting that you assume that I don't know the history of my union.

[MSchreader]

15. Multi-tier wage scale, co-pays for medical, plant closings,

Mass layoffs, concession contracts, and a pledge from Gettelfinger that the Big Three "has nothing to fear" from the UAW.

Excuse me, exactly who is "discredited"?

Martin

[RoeBear]

16. Which Democratic candidate...

...will acknowledge an affiliation with the Socialist Party?

Discredited.

[MSchreader]

17. None

Because no SP members run as Democrats. We either run as independents or on the Socialist ballot line. You may be confusing us with DSA (and there are several DSA members elected as Democrats who do openly acknowledge their affiliations).

Not discredited, independent.

But, since I have your attention, maybe you can answer a question for me: Would you donate to help my co-workers, if asked? Or, would you red-bait them too?

Martin

[RoeBear]

26. Last I checked this was...

the DEMOCRATIC Underground. I'm glad to see the tent is big enough to include the Socialist Party.... not. I see no benefit to the Democratic Party being associated with socialists.

Whether I approve of your party affiliation has nothing to do with my considering to help families in need.

[cprise]

28. Thankfully, DU is not affiliated with the Democratic Party

Otherwise, it would be nearly empty with some bulletins spouting Daschale-esque platitudes.

FWIW, the Democratic party would have never adopted a raft of some of the best socialist ideas in the 1930s if the threat of a communist takeover did not exist. That is the bulk of progressive economics right there.

In any case, its silly arguing against socialism as a general principle on a forum that supples avatars ranging from Marx and Che Guerva, on through advocates of socialism not the least of whom are MLK and Albert Einstein.

If you have a problem with a particular aspect of socialism, be my guest and criticize. I for one think a planned economy is a pipe dream. But a nation that has a strong socialist inclination (such as Sweden) does not equal a planned economy; It usually means there is compromise and reciprocity between public and private enterprise.

[MSchreader]

29. And Roebear's avatar, too

Frederick Douglass and Victoria Woodhull ran on the Workingmen's Party ticket in 1872. At the time the WP was the American section of the International Working Men's Association -- the First International.

Can't get away from us, can ya? :evilgrin:

Martin
(gotta get back to sorting toys)

[cprise]

22. Shall I translate?

"They were useful at the start but are discredited now."

/ We were strong but are weak now. /

Look at what you can accomplish when you no longer have the courage of your convictions (because there are none left, just a laundry list to whine about at work).

It's time the US was more tolerant of a very valuable economic point of view, and join the rest of the developed world.

[RoeBear]

27. I don't need you to translate my thoughts...

...if you're not sure what I meant ask me.

[MSchreader]

30. Roebear

So far, all you've done is piss in the punchbowl -- and I really don't appreciate you coming in here and acting like a disruptor.

If you are interested in expressing solidarity, then, please, be my guest. Otherwise, if you're here only to cause trouble (which is all you have done so far), then I respectfully ask you to put this thread on "ignore" and not come back.

Martin

[RoeBear]

32. Hold on now...

...don't be calling me a disruptor. And don't tell me to hit the ignore button because I have an alert button too.

DU may not be affiliated with the Democratic Party but it's purpose is to help get Democrats elected. Being associated with socialists will only hamstring this party.

That said I am in full support of labor unions.

[MSchreader]

34. This is not about Socialists or Democrats

This is about workers helping workers. Take your sectarianism somewhere else, please.

Now then, I have Christmas presents to deliver.

Have a happy holidays.

Martin

[RoeBear]

35. You opened it up to a discussion...

...of socialists/communists by the deliberate use of the word comrade.
A word that you know is directly tied to socialism and communism.

If I started a thread and said 'Heil!' and 'Achtung!' you'd be thinking Nazis right?

I still feel your wanting to help out families that are having financial problems because of labor problems is admirable but leave the 'comrade' crap out of the discussion. We have an important election coming up next year, we don't need to be tarred with that dirty brush.

[MSchreader]

36. Go away

This is not about elections. This is not about your ego or your party. You have soiled this discussion enough.

Take your arguments to GD2004P.

Martin

[RoeBear]

38. Kiss my...

...Democratic donkey.

"This is not about your ego or your party."

That is a very telling statement. You obviously don't consider the Democratic Party to be your party or you would have used the word 'our' party.

I forgot to ask: Why are you here?

[MSchreader]

46. I contacted 'your party'

The Michigan Democratic Party, about this over a week ago. No answer. None. Zip. Zero. Zilch. Nada. Perhaps some of them were too busy trying to figure out how to keep Detroit residents disenfranchised, and give Kilpatrick the dictatorial power he wants, to answer their messages.

On the other hand, Socialist Party members from North Carolina to Washington State kicked in to buy gifts, YPSLs wrapped presents, etc.

I consider that more telling than anything I wrote in response to your disruptions.

Martin

[blondeatlast]

63. Cpmrade is derived from the French word for roommate.

While I admit that it has taken on the Communist Party connotation, it's origins are pure and it is still correct to refer to a friend as a comrade. Referring to a friend as a Comrade (capital C) is a different matter entirely.

[Cheswick2.0]

39. roebear

It is very hard to find the dividing line. I am a democrat not a socialist. However there is this long continuum which blurs one into the other. Social programs in and of themselves are socialist in nature, however I believe in well regulated capitalism. I also believe the labor movement can be seen as capitalist in nature if you see it as getting something in return for giving something. In other words, you want a full days works then you pay decently to receive it from your workers.
But I don't think you can say that socialists and communists were useful in the beginning without paying respect to their contribution to your life.
You are buying into the right wing talking points that say democrats are liberals are socialist are communists. Just ask a republican if they cash their social security check, frequent public museums, pools, libraries, drive on public roads etc... these are all socialist in nature. Smack then with the hypocrite hammer because they can not deny taking advantage of all of these things that came about because we collectively support them as a society/community.

[RoeBear]

41. I'll take a WAG that...

...Bill Clinton is closer to GWB, politically then he will be to whatever candidate the Socialist Party puts up.

My question to anyone posting here is; what party will you vote for in Novemember 2004? If their answer is Republican they don't belong here. If their answer is Socialist they don't belong here either.

In regards to: "But I don't think you can say that socialists and communists were useful in the beginning without paying respect to their contribution to your life."

Abraham Lincoln and the Republican Party freed my great great grandfather from slavery. I'll pay respect to that but I won't pay respect to the Republicans that are in control now. Same with the Socialists. Society needed the threat of a socialist/communist overthrow when unions were being formed. They aren't needed now and are a hindrance to getting Democratic candidates elected.

[Cheswick2.0]

43. Women say the same about feminists

The fought for our freedoms and now they are a hindrance, they scare people. The sentiment is nonsense in both cases. No one is asking you to be a socialist, get over it. Just don't weep to me when your union is toothless and useless because you were affraid of being labled a liberal.

[MSchreader]

44. Thank you, Cheswick

Have a happy holidays.

Martin

[Cheswick2.0]

48. Welcome Martin

In a way the children of your friends are lucky. They are getting a valuable lesson in what is important. They will be better prepared for the realities of life and capable of standing up for themselves. The gifts they receive will be that much more special.

[MSchreader]

49. You should have seen the smiles

On the kids and my co-workers. THAT was my Christmas present -- builing real solidarity (remember: I didn't get a bonus, either, so our holidays here is pretty Spartan).

We made Christmas cards for the day. Here is the graphic we used:



Martin

[blondeatlast]

64. I've been defending you, and I support unions 100%, but I must ask.

Will you vote Dem in November? If not, according to the rules, you don't belong at DU.

[RoeBear]

67. Kicking...

...for a response.

[blondeatlast]

65. Well said.

[blondeatlast]

62. Very few DUers will claim to be socialists. As long as my Socialist

brothers and sisters pull the lever for the candidate with the "Dem" by their name on November 9, 2004 I'm happy to have them here. They have every right to push their agenda, since it is decidedly progressive and liberal.

I'll be the first to "alert" if they start pushing their party's candidate, though.

Union members need to unite behind each other now more than ever. I'm NOT a member, and I see the threat (I live in a RtW state, for one).

[blondeatlast]

61. I remember. 40 hour work weeks, safe working conditions,

vacations, holidays off, insurance benefits, grievance procedures, family leave, sick leave, etc.

We may take it for granted, but I thank my union brothers and sisters for it! I'm ineligible for membership, but I support my fellow employees unions every way I can.

Now more than ever!

[cprise]

20. The term is socialist

...and is less offensive to me than being labeled a "human resource".

As for the tendency to reject anything socialist in our unions or country.... well, look where we are.

[FDRrocks]

45. It means citizen.

That is a sweeping 'we' there. There is a socialist party in this country and there are a whole lot of people who want to socialize certain aspects of society. Rather presumptious.

[Commie Pinko Dirtbag]

4. Hey they think everybody left of Pinochet is a flaming commie anyway...

...why not got the full monty then?

WOЯKEЯS OF THE WOЯLD UИITE!

[rucky]

19. How'd you do the backwards R thingie?

tres cool

[Commie Pinko Dirtbag]

59. Character Map

In Windows 2000, the Cyrillic thingies are around the 24th/25th row.

Edit: you may notice there's a backwards N there too.

[Commie Pinko Dirtbag]

60. Another way

WO@#1071;KE@#1071;S OF THE WO@#1071;LD U@#1048;ITE!

Using the ampersand (&) character instead of @.

Failing that, look at the HTML source of this page, search for the word "monty" in my previous post, and see how it was generated. Unicode table at http://www.unicode.org/charts/ (these has values in hexadecimal; you'll have to convert to decimal to use the ampersand-sharp notation.)

[buddhamama]

5. your ignorance is showing

Socialist doesn't equal Communist

but yes, Martin is a member of the Socialist Party.

[MSchreader]

6. Snarf

We use "comrade" in SP all the time; in fact, we used "comrade" in the SP before there was a Communist Party of which to speak. If you research the history of the SP (and its predecessor, the Social Democratic Party), you will find that our first publication, which was produced from 1894 to 1901, was named The Comrade.

Martin

[AnnabelLee]

8. Solidarity!

I'm so proud of EVERYONE who turned down the strings-attached bonus! Thanks for the update.:-)

[buddhamama]

9. Good, Good job, Martin.

Glad to hear that everyone is standing together. It's the only way to win.

Thanks for the Update.

Happy Holidays, Martin.

Many Blessings to our Union/Labor Friends around the world.

[Rainbowreflect]

11. My thoughts & prayers are with you and your comrades.

I hope you all have a very happy holiday and the new year brings everything you are all working so hard for.
Keep up the good fight.

[bread_and_roses]

12. Yes, good work

...your update almost made me cry, remembering a Christmas when my father (steelworker) was on strike. Blessings to those helping make it a better Christmas for those kids. I have missed it if there is any news coverage of this? Please keep us updated. My thoughts are with you in solidarity.

[rucky]

18. ...and now they'll bring out the stick

we'll be ready for 'em.

Lemme know when the donation site is up.

GREAT WORK!

[Bluzmann57]

21. From a fellow Union Brother

Hang tough. This is the absolute worst time to be on strike, but it's the only weapon the working class have, short of pro-labor representation in Congress and beyond. Since that is not happening, you did what needed to be done. Please keep us updated and if there is a donation site to help out Union Brothers and Sisters, please let me know. Didn't you say that you are a railroad worker? If so, I am in the Boilermakers Union, which is affiliated with the rail workers Union. So stand tall, hang tough, and keep in touch. SOLIDARITY! Where are you located?

[MSchreader]

23. I am in Detroit

As soon as the donation site for the WDF is up and running, I will send a note. Thanks so much.

Martin

[bleedingheart]

24. Here is a kick from a Democratic Comrade!

:-)

I wish them the best of luck and I will try and send a donation.

[JanMichael]

25. I'm glad you all stuck together.

The carrot stick approach like the $500 oftentimes breaks those around the Holidays.

Best of luck to you and your fellow union sisters and brothers!


In Solidarity,

Michael

[bread_and_roses]

31. kicking

and I will watch for the donation site too.

[MSchreader]

33. Thanks

:kick:

[LWolf]

37. Good for you, Martin.

My association has been suckered by the carrot over and over the past two decades, until we've reached this point: I'm working about 12 hours a day, doing all kinds of unpaid extra duties, and can't keep up with it all. The contract states, "extra duties as necessary." So when the budget heads south and layoffs or retirements happen, we get assigned the jobs those people used to do in addition to keeping our classrooms going. You'd think they'd figure it out by now; yet, every time the district waves a "bonus" check of a few hundred, we cave. And that bonus check, after taxes, is laughable.

Wishing you and yours a warm, happy holiday.

[Bush loves Jiang]

40. I notice the WPP didn't help...

But what do you expect from greedy Stalinist reactionary traitors?

[Bush loves Jiang]

42. Hmm...

Whoops...I was thinking of a different socialist party whose name escapes me. Either way, I wouldn't feel any sympathy if a Stalinist, neo-Stalinist, or anti-revisionist were brutally slaughtered...lol...I know it sounds extreme, but people like that are as dangerous as the people controlling Dumbya.

[MSchreader]

47. Actually...

A friend of mine who is in the WWP, and a UAW local official, has offered us free use of their Union hall for meetings and events. But I chalk that up to the fact that he is working class, and a Union brother.

Martin

[Bush loves Jiang]

57. WTF?

Aren't they a Stalinist party? (though they were once Trotskyites until some sort of coup in the party)

I didn't realise they were genuine socialists.

[MSchreader]

58. They're in a category all by themselves

Yes, they started as a split from the then-Trotskyist Socialist Workers Party. In the early 1970s, they recruited a bunch of people out of the Youth Against War and Fascism group (which was actually as much a front for the Weather Underground as it was for the WWP).

The WWP was founded on a theory called "Global Class War", which says that there are only two great camps in the world: on one side is imperialism and its agents; on the other side were the "really existing socialist" states, semicolonial countries, etc. Their view was that, since they are centered in an imperialist center (the U.S.), it would be a capitulation to capitalist propaganda to be critical of the views or actions of the Stalinists, "Third World" nationalists, etc.

This is what led them to defend the suppression of the Hungarian Workers' Councils in 1956, the Chinese democratic socialist movement in Beijing in 1989, etc.

But here is the great paradox of the left: even though we all bitterly oppose each other on a political/programmatic/principled level, when it comes to work in the class struggle, we all open our arms to each other. We are all, in the final analysis, fighting for the same thing (socialism). Our views on what that looks like are different, but the goal is the same.

As well, bear in mind that the person I am talking about is working class and understands quite well the need for workers to stick together. That is why he has been so helpful.

Martin

[Lisa]

50. I went Christmas carolling with a union group!

It was part of a protest against outsourcing at local nursing homes. We sang a couple of spoof carols, but the rest of the repertoire was standard classic Christmas songs. The woman next to me wore an "I'm a Union Thug" button, and was handing out candy canes. It was pretty funny!

Good luck with your organizing drive ...

[MSchreader]

51. Thanks

Have a happy holidays. Solidarity forever!

Martin

[Lisa]

52. that was our grand finale!

It sounded pretty good, with the transportation/clerical/academic workers doing the main part, and the Unitarians and Communist Party folks providing the harmony.

[MSchreader]

53. Watch it now!

Roebear McCarthy may come after you for using the "C" word. :evilgrin:

Happy holidays!

Martin

[MSchreader]

54. Kick

:kick:

[davsand]

55. Marty, I missed that original thread!

I had no idea!

I am personally still broke--but if I can do anything let me know. I have sent a link to these two threads out to a buddy of mine who is a labor activist here in Illinois. He was organizing support for the Dockworkers out in California earlier this year. Dave is a guy who is nice to have on board for anything requiring organizing...

In the meantime, I'll talk to the folks in my County about seeing if there is anything they can do as well... At the very least, maybe we can make them aware of the strike relief fund and the high need your folks have right now for support.

We just got a resolution to an AFSCME contract down here and it was not a happy fight. I walked the picket line (targeting the Dem party who controls the county!) but we managed to get it settled.

Peace to you, and my heart to you and Lisa and Nikki. In many ways, you are blessed even if it doesn't feel like it all the time.

Laura

[MSchreader]

56. Thanks, Laura

I knew you were here, even if you hadn't checked in.

Martin

[davsand]

68. I've been busy lately and haven't been here as much

Looks like I missed an awful lot. Oddly enough, I've been doing a contract job for a PR campaign/media thing with the Bricklayers and the Building Trades and it has kept me hopping. All this time I've been carrying a degree in Communications--and now I'm finally using it for "fun and profit."

I did the media stuff for the BA at the local Bricklayers when he ran as a Dem for County Board a couple years ago, and these guys all saw my work--they had it in the front yard for quite a while. (You want to talk about an out of body experience, I was driving down the street and saw a yard sign I'd designed in front of the Teamsters local a while back!) Anyhow, the Bricklayers called me about the job, and here I am right in the center of union promotion work...

I'm working on the County AFL-CIO Pres to get you guys at least a resolution of support. (Kev says he doesn't think it'll be a problem. ;) ) At least it will maybe give your folks some comfort to know that labor in other areas is behind them in this.

I've not heard back from Dave the activist yet--I think they went out of town for the holidays so it may take him a while to get back to me. I'm very serious about this--he is a guy that could be a big help in putting together a national coalition of support for your cause. Failing that, he's got a labor mailing list that is huge. just getting updates out on his list would make a big difference.

Pax to you. We are headed out for a couple days this afternoon--so if you need to get hold of me--shoot me a PM--OK?

Laura

[blondeatlast]

66. Hang tough, brothers and sisters.

Sending a prayer of strength for all of you.

It saddens me to see so many reject Union membership, unaware of the fact that nearly everything they have as workers, from the minimum wage on up, was derived from Union struggles.

Just please, vote Democratic in the next election. Normally I would urge you to vote strictly your consciensce, but this election is way too important. Besides, I would love to see the Dems swing back to their roots. A strong Leftist showing would help.

Hell, I would like to see the Repugs swing back to their roots, but they have become too corrupt for that.