Incrementalism

Mike Elk has a post at In These Times about rebuilding the labor movement. What he gets right is big initiatives by big labor don't work. Organizing workers is a long hard slog. One that requires localizing union solutions for uniquely local problems. This requires hard work, but yields success, albeit in small increments.

Right to strike

Joe Burns has a pro-labor comment posted at In These Times on the Boeing issue. His point, the opposition to the NLRB's issuance of a complaint is part of the continuing assault on labor's right to strike.

Public sector labor decline tied to private sector decline

Joe Burns at In These Times (pro labor) has posted an insightful analysis of public sector unions core problem - the weakness of private sector unionism. Seizing on that weakness, Burns notes, is a well-funded network of conservative forces which has mounted an all out assault on labor rights. While he has correctly diagnosed labor's problem, his projected cure, more solidarity of purpose and a return to collective actions may not be achievable in an environment determined to suppress it.

Politics of deficit reduction

Is the federal worker pay freeze political theater or deficit reduction reality? Mike Elk's post at labor-friendly In these Times think its Obama's PATCO moment.

Revitalizing unions

In These Times has an interesting post on revitalizing the labor movement. It focuses on University of Texas law professor Julius G. Getman's new book, Restoring the Power of Unions: It Takes a Movement. Getman portray's the Hotel and Restaurant Employees Union (HERE) as a model of a member centered labor organization which has created its own mobilized rank and file, a rejuvenation of a movement, solidarity - core values gone missing from other labor organizations. Getman also rejects card check recognition as labor's salvation. He's not against it, he just does not believe it will effectuate needed change. Getman correctly notes two restrictions on labor's economic power have crippled the labor movement over time. The first is Mackay Radio, which held economic strikers can be permanently replaced. The second is Taft-Hartley's ban on secondary economic pressure.

Death of a union local, part 2

In These Times has another piece about the demise of Local 1111 in Milwaukee. This one is less from a historical perspective than a labor one.

SEIU severs ACORN ties

Union friendly blog In These Times has an interesting post about ACORN and SEIU. SEIU Secretary-Treasurer Anna Burger is quoted as saying “SEIU has . . . cut all ties to ACORN.”  The post also discusses the major ACORN donors who have ceased donating. New Orleans based Local 100, and the hard times visited upon it, including the SEIU's October 7 revocation of its charter is also detailed.