- Capitalism and Alternatives -

the focus there is on the bureaucratic side

Posted by: Red Deathy ( RDP, UK ) on August 01, 1997 at 16:37:18:

In Reply to: it highlighted the problems with unions posted by Chris on July 30, 1997 at 17:16:38:

: I also looked at the website and thought that it highlighted the problems with unions in general. Unions (and in particular union bosses)have their own agenda and rely upon the continuation of capitalism for survival. Although they ensure better conditions for workers, they are dependent on managing workers and seperating them. I personally would like to see debate on the role of unions here and to see other peoples opinions, since such powerful organisations are rarely mentioned in general debates on capitalism.

Yes, the unions are only of limited benefit for the workers- but the focus there is on the bureaucratic side, rather than on the membership tehmselves. Of course, unions are only capaable of existence in opposition to the bosses, and the leadership are there to help administer capitalism- but sometimes the workers themselves can take control of their union, and deploy themselves as an organised collective to aid in acquiring their needs. Unions are not the way to revolution or socialism, but as a way of fighting for a fair price we can't dispense with them- we just need to remember that a union is its members and not its bureaucracy..


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