Unions being accused of using "mafia-tactics"

[Prinskaj]

I have recently been confronted by people, who oppose unions, who argue that the measures that unions take to protest against business refusing to comply with unions terms, such as blockading the business, as being "mafia like tactics".
So I would like to hear others opinions of this. And also why the opposition to unions in general is growing?

[Prometeo liberado]

I think that in general, with the harsh economic times we live in, people are quick to look for the closest scape goat possible. As unions are made up of working class people many non-union workers, in a sort of reactionary jealousy, see union members as having something that they as non-union workers should have by right as well. Case in point are the reactions people have to civil servant unions and their membership. You'll always hear how "easy" they have it. With those big pensions and all that "free" health care. "They live off my tax dollars". Ignorance in not knowing, or appreciating, the struggles that organized labor has been thru. Jealousy in knowing that a better and more secure life can and is being had thru unity, yet when push comes to shove envy and jealousy rear their heads.

[Hiero]

I think it is highly complicated due to real fact and interpretation. In Australia in the building and construction industry some unions did act like mafia, like the Building Labour Federation which was de-registered due to corruption charges. I am not sure about the American history.

So there is that, but also current beliefs influenced by individualism would interpret alot of union behaviour as thugery. That the unions are distinct from the workers and members represent and only seek power. That they just intefer and cause conflict.

For instance if say an offer of employment or some form of contract is offered to workers, many people outside of unionised workplaces are of the believe that you just have to accept, that the boss owns the buisnes and can run it how he/she likes and if you don't like you can go somewhere else. For a union and it's members to refuse to do something like sign a contract or not conduct usualy duties for a reason (deemed unsafe) is seen as disrupting the relationship between employer and employee for the sake of the union power grabing.

These are the counter argument that I use. First I ask if workers can afford lawyers, because the boss can afford a lawyer and every contract or agreement is reviewed by a lawyer. The union can provide industrial lawyers to look over contracts for members. So I put it to workers that first that it is about equalising the playing fields so we can have legal representation. Then I tell them there are rules and regulations that are independent of the company and the boss that everyone has to follow. That we as workers can better our position be being observers to the company's policies, industrial issues, health and safety etc and bring forward these concerns. That is the same of bargaining, many non-unionised workplaces have no idea that they can in most cases sit down and baragin contracts, agreements etc. Many of these things for employers and non-unionised workers appear mafia like, that we are holding the company to ransom to get what we want. But usually these are normal legal ways of negoitating a better employment oppurtunity. It is about collectivising workers and getting the best position possible.

[Danielle Ni Dhighe]

It's the new right wing strategy for demonizing organized labor. It has become common in the last year or so for them to refer to union members as "thugs" or "Mafia."

[Sperm-Doll Setsuna]

It's the new right wing strategy for demonizing organized labor. It has become common in the last year or so for them to refer to union members as "thugs" or "Mafia."

Here in Sweden, it's a very old tactic. It's been very popular for the last ten years or so to refer to any strike, blockade or even work-to-rule protests as "mafia tactics" by the "union thugs" against the "poor non-union labourers" and the "sad helpless business owners". Quite vomit inducing, indeed.

[Ostrinski]

I think if unions were killing cops with machine guns in the streets I'd take them more seriously as a revolutionary force.

[9]

It's the new right wing strategy for demonizing organized labor. It has become common in the last year or so for them to refer to union members as "thugs" or "Mafia."

Is it really all that new? (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/On_the_Waterfront)

[Hiero]

I think if unions were killing cops with machine guns in the streets I'd take them more seriously as a revolutionary force.

They are not a revolutionary force.

[KlassWar]

I think if unions were killing cops with machine guns in the streets I'd take them more seriously as a revolutionary force.

That'd be sheer adventurism: Revolutions are exciting, but successful ones take a lot of "boring" preparatory work.

First, they'd need to educate the masses of the working class in the inescapable need for the machinegun and the bayonet. :D Then they'd need to actually acquire the machineguns, in enough numbers to be able to actually destroy the reactionaries.

Then, (and not before) the dance can start.

Going all out into full-blown, total class warfare (just, cathartic and generally awesome as it is) without the manpower and the means to win it is worse than suicidal: It's counterproductive.

[aty]

This is a common tactic against the anarcho-syndicalist union(SAC) in Sweden. SAC then brought a comrade from Italy that has fought against the real italian mafia all her life living under death threat. And then let her explain that it is the mafia that owns the companies that they put under blockade or strike...

It is the unions that fights the mafia.

[Tim Cornelis]

So, if the people say:

"hey government, if you're going to oppress us, we're going to rise up against you" this is by extension of their logic a mafia-tactic. Then surely most right-wingers who decry unions for mafia tactics themselves use mafia tactics.

[dodger]

Only in the land of the Pinkerton Agency....."PINKIES!" !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

http://www.google.com.ph/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=pinkerton%20agency&source=web&cd=1&ved=0CCsQFjAA&url=http%3A%2F%2Fen.wikipedia.org%2Fwiki%2FPinkert on_Government_Services%2C_Inc.&ei=OkRrT66qLMaZiAeIn_XuBQ&usg=AFQjCNFLDnx4Hb_WX6AGWY9tnUdF7pzxXA

[ckaihatsu]

There are *two* dialectical dynamics going on around this politics, just like any other position -- the ones to the right of it, and the ones to the left of it.

- Organized labor is *left-wing* in that it covers all of its workers under a single contract and enacts consistent workers rights for its labor membership under that umbrella.

- Organized labor is *right-wing* in that it plays the 'middleman' role between the rank-and-file and the employer, and carves out its own vested interests in that special managerial role. Its upper-tier officials comprise the privileged 'labor aristocracy' and will readily 'financialize' their membership base for gain and profit like any other executives. In this way they are *to the right* of the rank-and-file in representing its own best interests entirely, as with building grassroots solidarity and using the tactic of the mass strike.

[dodger]

RMT media office [email protected]
17:31 (15 minutes ago)

to me


TRANSPORT UNION RMT confirmed today that it has threatened legal proceedings against London Mayor Boris Johnson over what the union says is a defamatory poster campaign that portrays General Secretary Bob Crow as part of a corrupt group of cronies under the control of Labour mayoral candidate Ken Livingstone.

RMT also confirmed that it has referred the matter as a formal complaint to the Electoral Commission.



The "Not Ken Again" poster began appearing in London in early March.



A spokesman for RMT said:



"Our opinion is that this poster falsely portrays Bob Crow and RMT as part of some corrupt, venal, scandalous and wasteful group of cronies associated with Ken Livingstone.



"It also seems to portray Bob Crow and RMT as supporters of Ken Livingstone when the truth is that Bob Crow has not supported Mr Livingstone's campaign as a Labour Candidate for Mayor, is not a member or supporter of the Labour Party and RMT is not affiliated to the Labour Party.



"As General Secretary of RMT Bob Crow is wholly engaged in his duties in representing the interests of RMT members. The allegations contained in this poster infer that that is not the case and it has a negative impact upon Bob Crow's reputation among both his membership and with the public at large.



"RMT has made it clear that we will have no hesitation in taking swift and decisive action against any individual or organisation that makes false and damaging allegations against the union and its officials."



Worse slander than being associated with the Mafia is the Tory candidate for London Mayor's attempt to link both R.M.T. union and Bob with the LABOUR Party. Ken Livingstone can wear out his own shoe leather getting himself elected. Nobody in RMT has forgotten 'Red Ken' in office or his 'crossing picket line fiasco. Booted out of office soon after, we do not hanker after his return to London Mayor. They were sadly misinformed if they thought we needed them more than they needed us. Events have proved otherwise. Other unions will surely follow.

[-NW2-]

It's all very predictable from Boris. The RMT are portrayed as holding Londoners to ransom. Ken portrayed as 'Red Ken' and in hoc to the Unions and Bob Crowe.

The sad thing is, many, if not most Londoners buy it. At least the propaganda regarding the RMT and Bob Crowe. I overheard a conversation in a pub recently about how disgraceful it is that tube drivers are on 45-50k a year. The two men were moaning that they were not on anywhere near that and it wasnt fair. Tube drivers should be on 25k a year max, said one of them.

I understand a bit of jealousy, but when did we get to such a state that rather than try and organise ourselves and get improved wages and conditions, we try and attack the wages and conditions of other workers?

The 'mafia' tactics by Unions in London regarding the olympics are simply to try and get compensation for a few months when no (or very little) annual leave will be allowed, working hours and conditions will be changed.

Nobody criticises the 'mafia' tactics of hotel owners, airlines, restaraunt owners, landlords etc who will be massively increasing prices during the games.

[Misanthrope]

Economic exploitation is pretty damn "Mafia-life" if you ask me.

[Delenda Carthago]

"The worker's right is the law"

This is a slogan we try for years in Greece to pass to the people, because its the best answer to this kind of critic. "Ow, you cant do that, that is illegal!", says the bosse's snitch. "Fuck off, the worker's right is the law", we reply. And thats how it goes.:D

n5zybQ7u9PY

"nomos ine to dikio tou ergati ke ohi ta kerdi tou kefalaiokrati"
(the worker's right is the law, not the profits of the capitalist)

[ВАЛТЕР]

I don't give a shit what kind of tactics they use.

If it means a step forward for workers rights, the means justify the ends as far as I am concerned.

[zonmoy]

I have recently been confronted by people, who oppose unions, who argue that the measures that unions take to protest against business refusing to comply with unions terms, such as blockading the business, as being "mafia like tactics".
So I would like to hear others opinions of this. And also why the opposition to unions in general is growing?

What are the tactics that the big businesses that they are opposing other than Mafia tactics.

[Delenda Carthago]

By the way, its so stupid accusing the unions of using mafia tactics when the corporations are the ones that actually work with organised crime to murder syndicalists all around the world! For example http://killercoke.org/

[Prinskaj]

By the way, its so stupid accusing the unions of using mafia tactics when the corporations are the ones that actually work with organised crime to murder syndicalists all around the world! For example http://killercoke.org/
Well, the only times I hear them accused of using mafia tactics, is when unions protest, blockade or demonstrate against small businesses, such as restaurants.