[lbo-talk] ciao, unions

[Carrol Cox]

I think it useful to "use" petty producer rather than the French "petty
bourgeoisie." That's a class that lives in the interstices of
capitalism. As social shorthand, then, but not of class analysis, one
culd loosely lump small capitalists, petty proucers, and more
independent workers into the petty boufgeios, focusing on "lfie style,"
income, consciusness, etc rather than class poisiton. "Middle class"
(however meant) creates endless confusion. Some years ago the WSJ
referred to postal employees as the "last subsidized mieddle-class 
wage" or something like that.

Are many independent craftsmen (plumbers, electricians, etc) included in
the union ffigures. For many years the presdient of the McLean County
Trdes & Labaor Assembly owned his own bar but was a member of the
bartender's unon (whatever that is called).

Carrol