executive pay

[Jessica]

Paul Wight wrote:

<snip>
> The trouble with having a go at greedy management in the current context is
> that without seeing class, the management looks just like you, only a bit
> better off on a sliding scale, and impossible to draw a social distinction.
> In fact the management have successfully passed themselves off these days as
> just another employee like anyone else.  Better paid maybe, but subject to
> stress and sacking etc just the same.
> In this situation, them getting big pay rises does create tension.  In the
> past it would have just looked like  executives acting like executives.
> In the absence of class (awareness) then, having a go at greedy bosses isn't
> useful, since if they have to restrain themselves, so of course do you.
> It's also why James is right about the executives own outlook on it, why
> they feel defensive about getting the pay rises.  They don't even see their
> own position. It's not only the working class that has declined.
> I don't feel like cheering when they get a pay rise of course, but at least
> it gives me the opportunity to say, 'OK then, where's mine?'    That's a
> slightly different proposition (and more useful I submit) to having a go at
> them getting it in the first place.

You seem to be saying that there is no more class consciousness, and therefore to prevent bosses 
from getting lots of money to begin with means they should be able, in the minds of those not 
class-conscious, to refuse wage increases for the same reason.

I don't believe there is no class consciousness; in fact I think calss consicousness is growing.  It's 
pretty much impossible to prove empirically, but the continuing and increasing use of class warfare 
jargon - even simply the resurgence of the idea of class - in mainstream media, etertainment, even 
right-wing economic jounals, as well as the resurgence of the integration of "class issues" into 
struggles against racism, sexism, homophobia etc.  Seems to tell the stroy pretty well anecdotally.

Secondly, "OK then - where's mine" and "Wait a sec - you already make enough, and I don't" both 
come from the same awareness:  I have no money, and he's got lots because he doesn't want to 
give it to me.  That's pretty good class consciousness, if you ask me.  It's at least a start

Jess