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Better World is Possible
The above is a statement made by AFL-CIO President Sweeney at one of
the recent anti-globalization rallies. How does he and others propose to
arrive at a better world? By building a powerful labor movement that puts
people before profits - a point many union members must remember.
While we are devoting most of our attention to combating Mr. Miniace's
anti-union terrorism campaign, we must not overlook the ILWU organizing
campaign. Its purpose is to build the union, and keep the boss from
breaking unions everywhere. Everyone agrees union building is necessary if
living standards are to be defended. It is the only and best way to
guarantee decent wages, hours and working conditions and pensions. If
unions lose ground, living standards lose. It is as simple as that.
Something we have learned during and after 1934.
A glaring example of that truth is the Enron example. Just think for a
moment how the Enron pensions and scuttled 401k’s could have been saved
if Enron workers had had a strong union. Their loss came from putting
faith in a ruthless, greedy corporation instead of unionism. We hope they,
and us have learned the lesson. It is a simple choice -a strong union or
bankruptcy.
So what the ILWU organizing campaign is asking of us is to think
organizing daily, hourly and in a thousand ways. No one is expected to
sign up a hundred new union members in day or two. But we hope you can
come up with some organizing ideas. Even seemingly insignificant ideas
some times bear great fruit like seeds that become strong trees.
Turn your ideas in - at the union office, union officials, shop
steward, the Old Timers office or wherever is handy.
A Better World is Possible! |
