A Question To Cappies, And Commies.

[T_SP]

If so why? The answer I'm expecting from the Commies is NO, but we'll see, there are lefties who have.

[ÑóẊîöʼn]

If for some reason the people at my workplace decided to picket it, I would leap to join them as soon as I saw it, no matter what the issue was.

[Commie Girl]

Never have I crossed a picket line, nor would I be a "scab"!

[God of Imperia]

Never say never, depends on the situation.

[RedAnarchist]

I would never cross one

[redstar2000]

I definitely think that it depends on the issues.

After all, right-wingers picket left stuff...and I've crossed several such lines in my life, including a "god-squad" picket of an erotic art exhibit and a gusano picket of a film about Cuba.

Of course, I've never crossed a line where workers were on strike. I don't think I could manage that unless I thought the strike itself was fundamentally reactionary.

:redstar2000:

The Redstar2000 Papers (http://www.redstar2000papers.fightcapitalism.net)
A site about communist ideas

[T_SP]

I think maybe I should have been more specific, I did mean a workers picket where they are picketing for lets say, pay and conditions. If you worked there:
would you cross it and go to work as normal?
or would you join it?
or would you go home?
Want I want to know from Commies is do you think pickets are worthwhile in this context?

[Xvall]

In those circumstances that you have described, I would join the picket line, and encourage others to do the same.

[commiecrusader]

I would never cross a picket in a situation like that. I would join it if I thought it was worthwhile doing so, or go home if I didn't. But whatever the issue I would never cross a worker's picket line.

[STI]

No. I wouldn't cross a picket line.

[mundoqueganar]

RS is right about strikes having the potential to be reactionary. Think about the fact that a shit-ton of unionized construction workers were pro-war goons in the 60s, violently breaking up demonstrations. And there's no way in HELL I'd support striking cops. Fuck that noise.

Saying "I'd never cross a picket line" is too dogmatic to be upheld as a principle--it has the potential of blinding you to the concrete realities of what class is being served by a picket.

[DaCuBaN]

If anyone works with the fire service, they may remember me as the guy who brought bacon rolls round when they were striking...

Answer your question?

[T_SP]

Originally posted by [email protected] 26 2004, 08:47 PM
And there's no way in HELL I'd support striking cops. Fuck that noise.


They are only tools of the establishment, sent to perpetuate the Capitalist system!! I know some police(people) that agree with what I say but fear losing there jobs if they are too reactionary. Yes there are many corrupt 'cops' but I feel they would not be the ones picketing, afterall they are bent because they are benefitting from it, No?

[The Garbage Disposal Unit]

I might cross a picket line to shoplift, kick in a window, or something of that sort. Come on comrades, it's all about diversity of tactics! ;)

As to the pigs and their unions . . . I respect certain cops as individuals, but within the context of their role as police, they are aligned with the establishment and ought to be opposed. I, for one, don't think cops deserve higher wages, more coverage, better equipment, or anything of the sort. In fact, I'd like to see policing become the dirtiest and least desirable position posible. Of course, hopefully I'd be too busy looting or something to bother with their stupid picket.

[T_SP]

Would it not make more sense to have the police on our side come the revolution? The more the Merrier I say, I don't mean I support what the police do, but I do support them as exploited workers.

[The Garbage Disposal Unit]

The police, as an institution, are inherently reactionary. Naturally, we want officers, as individuals on our side - but that applies to everyone! Given, however, the role of the institution of police in capitalist society, I think we ought to spare no effort in subverting them whenever posible. To stand in solidarity with the gun our oppressors have pointed at our heads is, at best, stupid. The more unpleasant and undesirable conditions are for police officers, the better. Would you stand in solidarity with a strike of bourgeoisie politicians? Of course not!

[niwi]

No, I would not cross a picket line.

[inquisitive_socialist]

Now how can anyone say that they would never cross a picket line? what if it were some bunch of loonies like Swift Boat Vets for Truth and they were protesting a Democratic convention. i know thats alittle outdated with the elections being over and allbut still. You can't let the idea/myth of the strike as some tool only for the exploited working class to cloud you judgement. if rich white ceos went on strike for more benefits you cant say you would respect their lines, can you? :( Also, if the workers on strike were demanding very unproletariat things like a Christmas bonus of 1 million dollars, how could you support something so incredibly farfetched and doomed to fail?

[The Garbage Disposal Unit]

Eight hour limit to the workday, and seven hours payed break!

If they don't conceed by sun-down, we stop asking nicely, and start taking back our freedom.

[Non-Sectarian Bastard!]

What's is a picket line?

And how can you do an unproletariat "thing"?

[Dr. Rosenpenis]

A picket line is when folks protest an establishment by lawfully standing at the entrance without technically blocking it, but asking others to boycott it for the time being.


Also, if the workers on strike were demanding very unproletariat things like a Christmas bonus of 1 million dollars, how could you support something so incredibly farfetched and doomed to fail?

Wrong mindset, comrade.
In capitalism, we have to support anything that works against capital and in favor of the worker.

[inquisitive_socialist]

No :angry: we don't thats such horseshit! Blind ignorance doesn't justify supporting every farfetched pickline on Earth. If you want to join the sheeple and stand in a picketline without finding out what its about then by all means do so but to suggest taht we all support those picketing even if they picket for the elite is nuts! If Bill Gates picketed Microsoft and said they weren't paying him enough you would honestly join him simply because its supporting the "worker". What adherence to your dogma you have grandma."the better to be lead with dear"

Post Script- an unproletariat act is an act which, duh, doesn't support the goals and needs of the proletariat or working man in laymans terms.

[Dr. Rosenpenis]

If Bill Gates picketed Microsoft and said they weren't paying him enough you would honestly join him simply because its supporting the "worker".

That doesn't support the worker.
I would support any pay increase for the working man or woman. Not Bill Gates.


Post Script- an unproletariat act is an act which, duh, doesn't support the goals and needs of the proletariat or working man in laymans terms.

Stop acting like you know everything, because you don't. "Proletariat" is a noun. That's like saying "Un-America". The proper term for what you're trying to say is "un-proletarian".

[Non-Sectarian Bastard!]

I was not seriously asking what you meant by un proletariat, I know what you were trying to say with it. I wanted you to think about it.

Like RedZeppelin said, it's like saying Un-American. There is no behaviour or tought attitude that I expect every proletariat to have to declare them fully proletariat.

[refuse_resist]

No, I would never cross any type of picket line that is set up by workers.

For instance, awhile back I went to an anti-war protest and when we were marching we marched by these locked out hotel workers who were picketing the hotels. They've been doing this for the past few months now and we all marched by them and stood there for awhile and showed solidarity. That's usually the best thing to do, IMO.

[inquisitive_socialist]

i think that is the major heart of the problem. Its not just workers that set up picket lines. anyone can do it. I would never cross a picket line put up by workers but to say i would never cross a line in general without that little word workers is completely different. I support those who are oppressed not those with a false sense of oppression. Sorry about the mis-spelling, i didn't mean to come across as a know it all it just seemed crazy that you could have as many posts as NSB does and not know what i meant. i didn't realize he was being rhetorical about it.

[BOZG]

Originally posted by [email protected] 12 2004, 11:03 AM
No, I would never cross any type of picket line that is set up by workers.

For instance, awhile back I went to an anti-war protest and when we were marching we marched by these locked out hotel workers who were picketing the hotels. They've been doing this for the past few months now and we all marched by them and stood there for awhile and showed solidarity. That's usually the best thing to do, IMO.
What if the picket line also contained signs that said "[Insert nationality] jobs for [Insert nationality] people" in response to a company employing a worker of a different race?

[RedCeltic]

Some years ago (1996) I was a member of the Plumber's Union (UA local 200) on Long Island and working at a major housing development site. One day when I went into work, there was a carpenter's union picketing the jobsite. Apperently only the plumbers and electritians on that job were union. I went home and called up the union hall explaining the situation.

They told me that I had been hired specificly to work that jobsite, and that other co-workers had no problem crossing the picketline to go to work. So ended my brief 6 months membership to the UA. (I found another job).

So to answer your question.. no I would not cross a picketline, I am more pro worker... and have more of a sense of solidarity than some so called "Labor unions".


What if the picket line also contained signs that said "[Insert nationality] jobs for [Insert nationality] people" in response to a company employing a worker of a different race?

Than I would form a "counter protest" or an "informational picket" as to the need to fight for internatonal labor rights and fight against the "race to the bottom".

[Dr. Rosenpenis]

I support those who are oppressed not those with a false sense of oppression.

Who would this be, for example?
I reckon every single person on earth other than the wealthiest 5% are under social oppression and have a right to protest about something. And I would support them. As long as they're protesting for the right cause, of course. Blaming another race or nationality is deffinitely not something I'd have anything to do with.

[BOZG]

Originally posted by [email protected] 12 2004, 07:58 PM
Than I would form a "counter protest" or an "informational picket" as to the need to fight for internatonal labor rights and fight against the "race to the bottom".
Good answer. I was hoping someone else would reply first to see what they'd say. Now everyone will steal yours. :P

[DaCuBaN]

What if the picket line also contained signs that said "[Insert nationality] jobs for [Insert nationality] people" in response to a company employing a worker of a different race?

The bearer wouldn't get a bacon roll.

I don't think it makes much difference whether you agree with the strike or not - it's a matter of showing your support for the person, not the policy.