I know this isn't really a hot take, though. But I don't see a scenario in which we can make real changes that help people, save the planet, and destroy US imperialism without an organized working class - and that requires mass unionization. And right now the deck is stacked so much against unionization, from a legal / policy / regulation standpoint. But also, I do see a whole lot more positive energy regarding unionization among the working class in the US. People really are seeing through the anti-unionization lies spread by neoliberalism over the last few decades. Really, the one big objection from workers is they don't want to get fired, which is totally reasonable. That's why we need to make radical changes to the unionization rules and really beef up enforcement.

And this is has the benefit of being ostensibly in line with the goals of the Democratic party. Now of course, the party is beholden to capital and capital will fight this tooth and nail. But I think there will still be plenty of D politicians who see mass unionization as increasing their base of power, right or wrong.

So I think this should be our electoral focus, even if that means to the exclusion of other policies (because not like we're gonna get shit done in those areas as things stand now, anyway.

  • Chomsky [comrade/them]
    ·
    4 years ago

    Isn't this what Lenin called economism? You need a broad coalition that brings together different sectors of the society, anti racist, anti ice, pro union, indigenous resistance (obviously there are many others. Examples). We need to build bridges between these movements and unite them under the banner of anti capitalism/patriarchy/colonialism as the systems of oppression that lead to all of these issues.

    "It's the ballot or the bullet, it's liberty or death. It's freedom for everybody or freedom for nobody."

    • star_wraith [he/him]
      hexagon
      ·
      4 years ago

      I agree 100%, but I think you need unions as a large component of it that can be part of the "glue" that unites these groups.

      • Chomsky [comrade/them]
        ·
        4 years ago

        If only someone had designed some kind of "forward party" we'll call it that is internally democratic, but externally moves in lock step and is composed of professional revolutionaries that could glue it all together.

        Oh well.