Organizations in general are growing in power.
In an earlier post, I discussed how governments are getting bigger and more powerful with time. In another post I showed how corporations are doing the same. But the truth is that organizations in general are increasing their power, and all for the same reasons. Even organizations whose supposed purpose is to help the “little guy” are growing in power and making more money for their leaders. For example, let’s look at the growth of labor union power.
First let’s acknowledge the positive side – labor unions have greatly enhanced our lives by eliminating child labor, enforcing more reasonable work hours, and requiring safer working environments. They should obviously be honored for these improvements to our society.
But there has long been a strong connection between big labor and organized crime as indicated in a report prepared for the White House in 1978:
At least four international unions are completely dominated by men who either have strong ties to or are members of the organized crime syndicate. … Convictions for misconduct have been sparse and when one corrupt official is removed another soon takes his place. … The cost is passed on to the consumer. (Organized Crime and the Labor Unions)
Today’s top labor union leaders make million dollar salaries from member dues, while the members’ salaries have more or less stagnated.
For example, the inflation-adjusted median income of American families only rose by two percent from 1969 to 1992. (Danziger et al. [1997] 2000, 351)
It is not merely a liberal extremist assumption that the top 1% of Americans is getting richer while middle class wages stagnate. For example, several authors have provided much statistical evidence for claims of widening income disparity. (Ackerman [1997] 2000, 1) (Harrison [1997] 2000, 123)
Where will all this leave your great-grandchildren?
It is a well-established fact that, while labor union power is growing, membership is shrinking. If labor union members’ salaries were doing any better than average, then why would labor union participation be shrinking?
Local communities could do a much better job than labor unions of bargaining with companies located within those communities.
And they could be even more effective if they could control local business licensing. And given that the cost of living and the availability of labor and jobs vary so much across the nation, local communities should also set minimum wages locally. Of course, all the above would require much more local authority than states now allow.
Which of the following statements do you believe?
- Wages are failing to improve because labor union participation is shrinking, or
- Labor union participation is shrinking because unions are failing to improve members’ wages.
And which do think could do a better job of collective bargaining with companies – labor unions or local communities.
This site is for discussing how to improve our political system. It is NOT for discussing party politics or political figures. So if you have a non-partisan question or comment, feel free to leave it below.
Next post
Sources:
Ackerman, Frank. [1997] 2000. “Unequal Earnings: Theory versus Reality – Overview Essay”. In The Political Economy of Inequality, eds. Frank Ackerman, Neva R. Goodwill, Laurie Dougherty, and Kevin Gallagher. Canada: Island Press.
Danziger, Sheldon; Sandra Danziger; Jonathan Stern. [1997] 2000. “Summary of – The American Paradox: High Income and High Child Poverty”. In The Political Economy of Inequality, eds. Frank Ackerman, Neva R. Goodwill, Laurie Dougherty, and Kevin Gallagher. Canada: Island Press. (Originally published in Child Poverty and Deprivation in the Industrialized Countries 1945-1995. eds. Giovanni Andrea Corvica and Sheldon Danziger (Oxford: Clarendon Press, 1997), 181-209.)
Harrison, Bennett. [1997] 2000. “Summary of – The Dark Side of Flexible Production”. In The Political Economy of Inequality, eds. Frank Ackerman, Neva R. Goodwill, Laurie Dougherty, and Kevin Gallagher. Canada: Island Press. (Originally published in Lean and Mean (New York: Guilford, 1994), Ch. 9,189-216.)
Organized Crime and the Labor Unions. Prepared for the White House in 1978. http://www.laborers.org/VAIRA_MEMO.html (Accessed Jul. 14, 2017).
Its like you read my mind! You appear to know so much about this, like you wrote the book in it or something. I think that you could do with some pics to drive the message home a little bit, but other than that, this is fantastic blog. A great read. I will definitely be back.
I’m no longer positive where you’re getting your information, however good topic. I needs to spend some time learning more or working out more. Thanks for fantastic info I was on the lookout for this information for my mission.
Wow, fantastic weblog format! How lengthy have you been blogging for?
you make running a blog look easy. The overall look of your website is great,
as well as the content! You can see similar: dobry sklep and here e-commerce
This design is spectacular! You obviously know how to keep a reader entertained.
Between your wit and your videos, I was almost moved
to start my own blog (well, almost…HaHa!) Fantastic job.
I really enjoyed what you had to say, and more than that, how you presented it.
Too cool!
Stop by my webpage: vpn special
I and also my pals were following the nice key points located on your web page then quickly I got a horrible feeling I had not thanked the web blog owner for those techniques. These people became consequently warmed to read through them and have pretty much been taking pleasure in those things. Thanks for being well thoughtful and then for settling on variety of extraordinary useful guides most people are really eager to understand about. Our honest apologies for not expressing appreciation to earlier.
Your point of view caught my eye and was very interesting. Thanks. I have a question for you.
I was reading some of your blog posts on this website and I believe this internet site is real instructive! Continue posting.
I love it when people come together and share opinions, great blog, keep it up.
Good website! I really love how it is easy on my eyes and the data are well written. I’m wondering how I might be notified when a new post has been made. I’ve subscribed to your RSS which must do the trick! Have a nice day!
Does your blog have a contact page? I’m having trouble locating it but, I’d like to send you an email. I’ve got some creative ideas for your blog you might be interested in hearing. Either way, great blog and I look forward to seeing it develop over time.
Well I really liked reading it. This information offered by you is very helpful for correct planning.
Howdy would you mind letting me know which webhost you’re using? I’ve loaded your blog in 3 completely different web browsers and I must say this blog loads a lot faster then most. Can you recommend a good hosting provider at a fair price? Many thanks, I appreciate it!
I’d incessantly want to be update on new content on this web site, saved to my bookmarks! .
I have been browsing on-line greater than three hours nowadays, yet I never found any fascinating article like yours. It is beautiful price sufficient for me. In my view, if all website owners and bloggers made good content material as you probably did, the web shall be much more helpful than ever before.
fantastic post, very informative. I wonder why the other specialists of this sector do not notice this. You should continue your writing. I am confident, you have a huge readers’ base already!
Hello, I log on to your blogs like every week. Your story-telling style
is witty, keep up the good work!
Excellent goods from you, man. I’ve understand your stuff previous to and you’re just too fantastic.
I actually like what you have acquired here, certainly like what you are saying and the way in which you say it.
You make it entertaining and you still take care of
to keep it smart. I can not wait to read far more from you.
This is really a tremendous website.
Hello this is kind of of off topic but I was wanting to know if blogs
use WYSIWYG editors or if you have to manually code with HTML.
I’m starting a blog soon but have no coding know-how so I wanted to get guidance from someone with experience.
Any help would be greatly appreciated!
I am really inspired along with your writing abilities as smartly as with the format
on your weblog. Is this a paid topic or did you
customize it yourself? Anyway stay up the excellent high
quality writing, it’s uncommon to peer a nice weblog like this one
these days..
Your point of view caught my eye and was very interesting. Thanks. I have a question for you.
It’s perfect time to make some plans for the longer term and it’s time to
be happy. I’ve learn this publish and if I could I want to
counsel you few interesting issues or tips.
Perhaps you can write subsequent articles referring to this article.
I desire to learn more things about it!
I used to be able to find good information from your blog posts.
Your article helped me a lot, is there any more related content? Thanks!
I was suggested this website by my cousin. I am not sure whether this post is written by him as no one else know such
detailed about my trouble. You’re wonderful! Thanks!
Thanks very nice blog!
Hello there! Do you use Twitter? I’d like to follow you if that would be ok.
I’m definitely enjoying your blog and look forward to new
posts.
Thanks for sharing. I read many of your blog posts, cool, your blog is very good.
Thank you for your sharing. I am worried that I lack creative ideas. It is your article that makes me full of hope. Thank you. But, I have a question, can you help me? https://www.binance.com/pt-BR/join?ref=YY80CKRN
click reference afdas uk
Differences in chemical structure between quinolones have resulted in altered levels of activity against different bacteria free samples of priligy As concluded by Shekarriz B et al, higher conversion rate and longer operative time should be expected in such patients
For histology analysis, visible plexiform neurofibroma was excised from the spinal cord and then subjected to tissue processing and paraffin embedding priligy amazon uk
Saphner T, Tormey DC, Gray R Venous and arterial thrombosis in patients who received adjuvant therapy for breast cancer priligy pill I am now 5 wks pg