> This is very interesting from an Irish perspective as it mirrors, almost
> precisely, the role the trade unions are playing here. That is, of
> supporting state austerity measures (with varying degrees of
> enthusiasm), including a truly diabolical agreement for public sector
> workers which will set workers rights back decades, if accepted by union
> members. What is it about contemporary union leaders that so many of
> them seem intent on misrepresenting their own members' interests when
> they are not actively working against them? And why do workers keep
> voting for these bozos as leaders?
I'd hypothesize--say without being convinced it's totally true--that it has nothing to do with "these bozos" as capitulating individuals but with unions' structural position within capitalism. It's their job to mediate between bosses and workers, and as with any other form of mediation, it's a lot easier for the bosses to control the form than it is for the workers. Unions don't misrepresent the workers because ultimately they don't represent them.