Work Reform

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A place to discuss positive changes that can make work more equitable, and to vent about current practices. We are NOT against work; we just want the fruits of our labor to be recognized better.

Our Philosophies:

All workers must be paid a living wage for their labor.
Income inequality is the main cause of lower living standards.
Workers must join together and fight back for what is rightfully theirs.
We must not be divided and conquered. Workers gain the most when they focus on unifying issues.

Our Goals

Higher wages for underpaid workers.
Better worker representation, including but not limited to unions.
Better and fewer working hours.
Stimulating a massive wave of worker organizing in the United States and beyond.
Organizing and supporting political causes and campaigns that put workers first.

founded 2 years ago

MODERATORS

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133

Unions as a 21st Century Anti-Fascist Force (inthesetimes.com)

submitted 3 weeks ago by FenrirIII@lemmy.world to c/workreform@lemmy.world

6 comments fedilink hide all child comments

cross-posted from: https://lemmy.world/post/28185329

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[–] alvvayson@lemmy.dbzer0.com 7 points 3 weeks ago (1 children)

I fully agree.

Also, one thing that Unions always have trouble with is that there is no individual benefit to joining a union, only a cost, so you get a prisoners dilemma type situation.

Even in Scandinavian countries, union membership is on the decline.

Personally, I think the solution should be that union dues are paid by a small tax, making it 'free' to join a union. And the unions can provide free benefits to their members, such as legal advice and representation. This will make it attractive to join a union.

[–] agamemnonymous@sh.itjust.works 3 points 3 weeks ago (1 children)

A nice idea, but kinda putting the cart before the horse when talking about unions as a safeguard against the fascist government which presently levies taxes.

[–] alvvayson@lemmy.dbzer0.com 1 points 3 weeks ago (1 children)

Nothing in this world is free. The US tax rate isn't high. The issue is, you don't get a good value back.

You can't have strong unions without money for unions.

Organizing people costs money.

Union dues tend to be in the $10-50 per month range, while unions easily increase wages by hundreds a month through collective bargaining.

Most of the unions costs are fixed, so if everyone is a member the average due can easily be on the lower end ($10-20).

If you have a problem with that, then that's exactly why you don't have strong unions.

[–] agamemnonymous@sh.itjust.works 1 points 3 weeks ago* (last edited 3 weeks ago) (1 children)

I think we might be talking past each other here. I support unions, and obviously unions need money to support members during strikes, among other things. I just don't know how taxes factor into it when fighting an administration which is definitely not going to sponsor government funded unions. I'm not really quite sure of your point.

[–] alvvayson@lemmy.dbzer0.com 1 points 3 weeks ago

I'm talking about long-term non-US centric policy.

I don't mean to imply that this is a priority for the short term in the US.

[–] Formfiller@lemmy.world 1 points 3 weeks ago

My union the IUEC commits collusionary crimes against women and black members