GM strike

[charles brown]

Doug H. writes:
>
>Justin Schwartz wrote:
>
>>Well you do. Sound like a Spart, that is. What do you mean by class
>>struggle unionism? It's a fancy phrase, but what's the content?
>
>You know, like unions represent the organized interest of the working
>class, which is in a rather long-term battle with something called 
capital,
>and that the bosses' and stockholders' profits come from the workers'
>labor. If you think that way, you are not likely to cut "jointness" 
deals,
>or enter into jointness joint ventures with your employer.
>
>>You think workers are afraid of the word "class"? No. But the union
>>militants do carea bout their unions and don't have a lot of patience 
with
>>left wing ignoramuses remote from the practical struggle and blind to 
the
>>extreme fragibility and difficulty of getting and keeping a union. 
Your
>>"labor bosses with fat paychecks" sounds to them like right wing 
attacks
>>on unionism at all. It's rather different when the militants or 
someone
>>like Kim Moody says it. Maybe you better stick to Wall Street, Doug, 
or
>>pay some dues in the labor movement before you weigh in with talk that
>>can't help and can hurt.
>
>Left wing ignoramuses, really? That's really a load of crap, 




In my opinion, we need more people using terminology such as "class 
struggle trade unionism". Yes, one must be ready to elaborate and 
explain it. No, it should not be said in an insulting or patronizing 
manner, but the concept and the whole thesis of which it is a part - 
there is no solution in reform within capitalism  - must be popularized, 
again, to a new generation. Doug is not likely to be mistaken for a 
Spart, by the way, so he is a good candidate to be one of the 
broadcasters (as suggested in another post urging him to take his show 
on the road).We also need some radicals to continue to hold the hands of 
the labor leaders, as Justin sketches. We need a division of labor among 
radicals: Good radical, bad radical, sweettalk and scolding. You know 
the old concept of holding opposite ideas in mind at the same time. We 
need a combination of Gus Hall and the Sparts, a unity and struggle of 
opposite tactics within one movement and party. 

At this point in history it is easier to demonstrate the long term 
bankruptcy of class collaboration than twenty years ago. Yes, use the 
terms "class collaboration and opportunism", but say it with tough love 
for the working class. The legend of Reuther must be demolished. And my 
house is six blocks from Solidarity House,on Jefferson Avenue. I know so 
many people who work there it isn't funny. I have followed a kid gloves 
policy with union leadership for years. It ain't working.  

It does not work to try to creep up on and "reunite" with the UAW 
liberal establishment with politely, slightly radical propaganda 
samples. They are experts at squashing these tres petit, 'friendly" 
insurgencies. It's like a Reutherite reflex. They've been playing it off 
from CP martyrs for decades. It is a self-destructive farce. We need new 
open militancy. Change or die, motown petit lords, my little chickadees.

Write class conscious letters to The Detroit Sunday Journal on the GM 
strike. http://www.rust.net/~workers/strike.html

Also, the third anniversary of the Detroit newspaper strike is here. The 
UAW bankrolls the newspaper strikers' newspaper (Sunday Journal)and 
displaces some of its militancy needed in its own jurisdiction onto the 
newspaper strike. End vicarious militancy in the UAW.

Another phrase to start tossing around and explaining is "workers of the 
world, unite." The Sunday Journal actually printed a letter of mine with 
that in it a year or so ago. Then I think the collaborationist censors 
started editing more. But out of town letters will dazzle them. It is a 
"strike" newspaper.


Charles Brown


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