U.S. stocks closed 2013 at record highs, with the S&P 500 posting its largest annual jump in 16 years and the Dow its biggest gain in 18, after positive reports on consumer confidence and housing boosted sentiment on the final trading day of the year.
And yet the Building Trades are conceding to the large construction end-users & construction managers on wages, benefits and conditions.
The strong correlation between the rich getting richer and the decline of Organized Labor has been evident across all sectors for the past 30 years. In our capitalist society, the balance between labor, management and government is needed to ensure that all have a seat at the table. Management serves a piece of paper called a corporate charter whose religion is profits – pure and simple.
Government regulations and taxes are needed and the debate about the form and reach of those regulations and taxes is healthy. However, government oversight, once agreed to, is tantamount to a door locked to keep an honest person honest.
One of the critical components of a free capitalistic society is organized labor. But Organized Labor has been an oxymoron for the better part of 30 years. It is clear that we have decided to co-operate with our own demise, collaborating with the very institutions that seek to put us out of existence.
Complaining on the social media outlets about big money is useless without concerted activity to force management to share the profits. Our strategy for the past 30 years has been to appease and cooperate with big business. The “let’s not make waves” approach and/or continuing the Value on Display strategy dealing with these “junk yard dogs” has not worked.
A CBA (Collective Bargaining Agreement) once was the vehicle that provided labor peace on a job. Brothers & Sisters, no one signs a CBA willingly. Management signs for one of two reasons: either they are forced to do so, or they must in order to gain entry into a CBA controlled market. Since we have very little control over any market, the second is dead on arrival.
Only a strong and pro-active labor movement will keep the American middle class in the game. Our approach in dealing with management should be the 21st century version of concerted activity, which would include large doses of structured social signals and channeling all workers’ outrage into action!
If Organized Labor continues down the path of relying on corporation’s and politicians to advance our rights then we cannot be surprised of the outcome!
Danny L Caliendo
Organizer
