perma-temps

[G*rd*n]

Doug Henwood:
> ...
>      Unions, which have noted the growth of temporary services in
> manufacturing with dismay because such workers are extremely difficult to
> organize, are looking for ways to tap into that discontentment.
>      "We're trying to get a good handle on it, to figure out the best
> strategies," said Chris Owens, assistant director of public policy for the
> AFL-CIO. "But because many temp workers move from one job to another, it is
> harder to locate them."
> ...

If I knew any union officials, I'd suggest that the unions
organize their own temp agencies.  Back in the dark ages,
when I was a boy, many jobs were available only at the
union hall, so in a way they must have done it once (in
effect if not in name).  Once they were organized, the
members could manage the agencies themselves as co-ops.
If the agencies are really getting a 40% fee, that would
provide a nice margin to attract worker interest _and_
capitalize expansion.

But I don't know any union officals.  It's probably because
of all these screwy ideas I have.

Gordon