a real union summer

[Michael Eisenscher]

>From the bare bones information available, I'd say the CWA settlement is
more of a clear win for labor than the UAW settlement (which I viewed as
having achieved neither side's strategic objectives, but offering something
for both, leading me to conclude that the same issues will surface again in
the near future when the speedup allowed for by that agreement takes
effect).  The most significant accomplishment of these struggles is labor's
willingness and ability to assert its interests in previously sacred areas
of managerial prerogatives.  Before heralding a "New Dawn" for organized
labor, however, we need to parse out the effects of labor movement
rejuvenation arising from New Voice-related initiative, changes in the
leadership of a number of organizations, the vulnerability of new
technologies and new production systems to strategic disruptions, and the
impact of a tight labor market.

Michael E.

At 03:57 PM 8/12/1998 EDT, Shelvers at aol.com wrote:
>Sorry, I've been gone for awhile.  I just wondered what everyone's take is on
>the three consecutive strike victories of the summer, Philly Transit, GM, and
>now Bell Atlantic.  
>
>Seems to me, when combined with the unexpectedly militant construction
>workers' demo in NYC and the rank & file rebellion gurgling up at Northwest
>Airlines that Greenspan & Co. are seeing exactly what they fear most--those
>pesky and "increasingly confident workers" placing "gradually escalating
>pressures on wages and costs" and more importantly (as has been the key issues
>at hand in these 3 strikes) job security.  
>
>What amazes me most about these three strikes is that the issues brought forth
>are directly related to production: Who produces, where it gets produced, and
>who is to pay when changes are made in that production.  
>
>