Someone just praised "forward-thinking" unions

[urbanrevolt]

That's way too ott. Poster's miserablism doesn't get us too far in itself but he/she does probably reflect (in exaggerated form) the demoralisation many feel- and indeed there's no point claiming we're all in great shape.

Those who want to get beyond moaning shouldn't do it by moaning anbout someone moaning but propose useful ideas such as co-ordinating different struggles, getting networks of activists up and running in particualr unions and acorss unions or in new unions or communities.

 

[Blagsta]

Maybe, but all I ever see him do is moan and blame the state of the world on "the left". I wish he'd stfu tbh.

 

[Prince Rhyus]

One thing that has struck me is that the union doesn't feel like part of the community. If it's not part of the community - whether workplace or where we live, it's always going to be a "bit part" or an "insurance policy against disciplinary action."

I currently live in Cambridge, though will be moving down to London next week. Is there something to be said for local unions branching out what working mens clubs do and embracing the activism that went on when the anti-globalisation movement was at its peak?

I'm thinking of unions using their financial muscle to get hold of local premises and making them a hotbed of community activism.

Ooh, one other thing, I think that the model that existing unions have - i.e. "one union for one employer/sector" is obsolete. This is because people move from sector to sector far more easily and far more often than 50 years ago. Thus unions need to make it easier to facilitate the continuation of membership as people change employers or even become unemployed.

 

[Divisive Cotton]

I part of the skate-left, used to be haddock-left to my eternal

 

[treelover]

very very interesting piece here by Tony Robinson of Baldrick/Time Team fame, (LP NEC)some very revealing stuff on the genesis of new labour, he knows his onions, he argues it was the old former commies, etc who were one of blairs key alles, ...

In the 1980s those who went on to create New Labour were a tiny faction, a handful of intellectuals who recognised that if the Party was ever going to regain power they would have to roll up their sleeves, get their hands dirty and oust Militant. But they had neither the skills nor the organisational ability to do this on their own. Instead they relied on the army of dedicated fighters within the big right-wing unions, tough combatants, many of them ex-communists, all too familiar with the practice of using communist methods to thwart the Stalinists and latterly the Trotskyites.

This may seem like ancient history, but in 1997 when Tony Blair swept to power, he had virtually no power base within the party. Though initially supported by soft-left progressives, it was his friends among the right-wing street fighters whom he turned to for assistance, and it was they who provided the know-how whereby the Labour Party was transformed into a machine specifically designed to enact the will of Downing Street.

There is no better example of the brutal confidence with which they approached the job than the coup de gras applied by Ken Jackson's AEEU when he deployed his union’s entire bloc vote against Ken Livingstone’s mayoral candidacy, even though his membership hadn’t been consulted.

 

[nino_savatte]

What's revelatory about that? We all know that MPs like Dr John Reid were ex-communists (Stalinist in his case) and that he and others were central to the NL projet. This is typical behaviour for many ex-communists - Aaronovitch, Torode et al.

 

[poster342002]

Serious question - Why are you in total isolation?

Because nobody EVER backs you up in the workplace when you raise comments against the crap way we're treated. Everyone just stays silent and gladly offers their butt for shafting. The left does nothing to change this because it refuses to accept it happens, instead recoursing to utter fantasyland, panting drivel like "there's loads of anger! A real willingess to fight! A real show of solidarity!" when the total opposite is the case.

 

[Jografer]

Because nobody EVER backs you up in the workplace when you raise comments against the crap way we're treated. Everyone just stays silent and gladly offers their butt for shafting.

Your opinion of course, who's to say they are keeping quiet because they are sick of your whinging bollocks.....

... IMHO of course...

 

[poster342002]

Your opinion of course, who's to say they are keeping quiet because they are sick of your whinging bollocks.....

... IMHO of course...

Tbh, I really wish that was the case.

 

[Jografer]

Tbh, I really wish that was the case.

But you do seem to assume that eveyone is 'head down, save job' & you are the only one who is prepared to stand up.

I think as I've said before that's not my experience of work, but maybe I'm just lucky...

 

[Donna Ferentes]

Because nobody EVER backs you up in the workplace when you raise comments against the crap way we're treated. Everyone just stays silent and gladly offers their butt for shafting. The left does nothing to change this because it refuses to accept it happens, instead recoursing to utter fantasyland, panting drivel like "there's loads of anger! A real willingess to fight! A real show of solidarity!" when the total opposite is the case.

 

[poster342002]

But you do seem to assume that eveyone is 'head down, save job' & you are the only one who is prepared to stand up.

I think as I've said before that's not my experience of work, but maybe I'm just lucky...

Sadly, it has indeed been my experience that everyone is "heads down, save job - by not fighting to save it". The inherent contradiction in that is utterly absurd, but no-one sees it. It's sort of like "avoid being mugged - by handing over your wallet".

 

[Mallard]

Sadly, it has indeed been my experience that everyone is "heads down, save job - by not fighting to save it". The inherent contradiction in that is utterly absurd, but no-one sees it. It's sort of like "avoid being mugged - by handing over your wallet".

Surely you must accept that this is not the case in every workplace. Perhaps you should put yourself forward to work and promote union activity and engage members/get them involved/ do something to increase morale and build faith in the ability of ordinary workers to make changes. I'm sure you'd be welcome.

 

[poster342002]

Surely you must accept that this is not the case in every workplace.

I've reached the conclusion that it's like thatin the vast majority of them. The hype we get from the cod-left just doens't match any of my experiences or those of anyone I know.

Perhaps you should put yourself forward to work and promote union activity and engage members/get them involved/ do something to increase morale and build faith in the ability of ordinary workers to make changes. I'm sure you'd be welcome.

Tried. Failed. Nothing works in such places.

 

[Mallard]

I've reached the conclusion that it's like thatin the vast majority of them. The hype we get from the cod-left just doens't match any of my experiences or those of anyone I know.

Our local branch has got a lot more lively and accountable as there are a few new members. We still need to improve participation and engagement but are trying and having some success. We've even helped re-establish the local Trades Council.

Tried. Failed. Nothing works in such places.

It's hard. I moved to a workplace a couple of years ago and reactivated a 'dormant' union. We had 6 members in the first year and over 30 now in the second. As our profile is higher now and we've had a few victories more will join. It's often a difficult and frustrating role as a rep but i'm glad I've stuck with it.

Don't give up!

 

[glenquagmire]

What Mallard said. I took over as rep in a dormant union workplace 18 months ago, we've doubled membership in that time and won a few small victories, bringing in new activists as well. It's hardly the revolution but it shows what can be done - not because I'm particularly brilliant but because sometimes all it takes is some common sense and hard work.

 

[poster342002]

Mallard,

Time was when I used to draw inspiration from accounts like yours. Eventually, however, you just get sick of dealing with a mindset that revels in it's ignorance (everyoen considers themselves "professional" and "ass-pirational") and grow tired of having to (in vain, usually) explain to people why the latest atack on our working conditions is "a bad thing" when it ought to be self-evident. Seriously: I've lost count of the number of times I've heard people defend and support attacks on their own working conditions.

 

[tarannau]

I've lost count of the number of times you moan helplessly.

Christ, is it any wonder you're not winning people over.

 

[Mallard]

Without being in your workplace Poster I can only agree with glen above. It's frustrating/annoying and difficult but getting one or two members at first is a victory. There is help available if you contact your union's regional/national office. Many have paid officials and cash/materials to help you. Contact them asap and good luck!

 

[poster342002]

There is help available if you contact your union's regional/national office. Many have paid officials and cash/materials to help you. Contact them asap and good luck!

Yes (it's all been tried, btw), but without a shift in attitude from the members themselves, it's just wasted. No amount of leaflets, walkarounds, meetings (attended by sod-all) etc makes any difference.

30 yeas of Blatcherism has left people utterly indoctinated with the notion that having rights at work is "bad" and that anyone advocating them is "a troublemaker" who deserves to be sacked.

 

[october_lost]

The left does nothing to change this because it refuses to accept it happens, instead recoursing to utter fantasyland, panting drivel like "there's loads of anger!

Next question - Why are you waiting on the left?

 

[poster342002]

Next question - Why are you waiting on the left?

Good point. I think it's more a case of getting annoyed with their endless hyperbole that actually blocks any attempt to come up with solutions to the problem as they just howl that the problem doesn't exist, that we're being "miserablist" and that everything's "brillient!".

 

[Blagsta]

I've never seen anyone on the left claim anything is brilliant.

 

[poster342002]

I've never seen anyone on the left claim anything is brilliant.

You've never read any of their literature full of overblown, counterproductive, hollow-triumphalist pap along the lines of "Massive! Brilliant! A Historic Opportunity for the left! Fantastic!" yadda yadda yadda ...?

 

[october_lost]

Good point. I think it's more a case of getting annoyed with their endless hyperbole that actually blocks any attempt to come up with solutions to the problem as they just howl that the problem doesn't exist, that we're being "miserablist" and that everything's "brillient!".

Ignore them, they are irrelevant. End of

 

[treelover]

But they are not, they have a habit of undermining progressive, dynamic and maybe significant campaigns such as the anti-war movement. many people got disillusioned with the STWC and drifted away, though of course being ignored by the Gov't didn't help.

 

[Spion]

Good point. I think it's more a case of getting annoyed with their endless hyperbole that actually blocks any attempt to come up with solutions to the problem as they just howl that the problem doesn't exist, that we're being "miserablist" and that everything's "brillient!".

Who says this? Where? Links please if poss

 

[Blagsta]

You've never read any of their literature full of overblown, counterproductive, hollow-triumphalist pap along the lines of "Massive! Brilliant! A Historic Opportunity for the left! Fantastic!" yadda yadda yadda ...?

Nope.

 

[treelover]

There is plenty of it, just read Social Worker..

 

[Blagsta]

I do occasionally. I don't recall anything like that. Can you provide an example?