the auto

[Alex Lantsberg]

An inherent limitation of unionism may me the narrow self-interest that
prevents the organized to advocate for a new system based on ecological
sustainability.  Sure there's retraining programs, but how many of us really
think that the unions or their membership would buck the status quo, when
their own livelihood depends on it (an the conflict that it breeds).
Capitalists need unions to keep them somewhat honest.  Lets imagine for a
moment that the UAW demanded a cessation of the current mode of auto
production, demanded that the automaker was responsible for the disposal of
the product once past its useful life, and demanded that our cities be
rebuilt with people, not cars, in mind.  I not only don't see it happening,
but see the unions joining the capitalists in fighting to prevent this from
ever happening.

-----Original Message-----
From:	owner-lbo-talk at lists.panix.com [mailto:owner-lbo-talk at lists.panix.com]
On Behalf Of Doug Henwood
Sent:	Saturday, June 27, 1998 10:13 AM
To:	LBO-talk at lists.panix.com
Subject:	the auto

Oh yes, I don't expect the UAW to do much thinking either about the
ecological sustainability of the auto. Contrast this with Tony Mazzocchi,
who thought that in a better world most of the oil, chemical, and atomic
workers wouldn't have their present jobs.

Doug