Union Violence – Daniel Gorman
May 23, 2007Daniel Gorman
April 30th, 2007
Manifesto:
The United States of America is a country of Freedom. On her soil you are free to choose your own religion, lifestyle, and have the ability to move up in social class. To gain this freedom our fore fathers used revolution to change the world. It was through revolution that unions were created. The blood and lives lives lost in the battles for our freedom define our country. So it was only natural for the people of the United States of America to put the same amount of effort and sacrifice into the things they believe in. Through out her history the United States has fought Freedom, Civil right and Unity. One of the more important wars has been fought within the labor movement has been between unions and companies.
This war over workers rights will never end. And the war has been fought with the same amount of sacrifice and desperation as our ancestors. But the current system have set up to protect our workers fails us. The politically correct court system way of handling the grievances and abuse of millions of workers denies and insults everything this country stands for. This is why my brothers ans sister we must reclaim of rights and workers and as humans through force.
It is fact that the peaks of greatness for American Unions were during time periods were violence and intimidation were worth more than money, land and property. And we as American should have the right to do whatever we feel necessary to protect our selves, families, and futures because the companies force us to bow down to them using politics and the court. Remember! We created the system of politics that were are under today and we have the power to change it for the better so it benefits our needs as a majority.
A Brief History:
The history of labor in The United States have always shown the struggle that was in the Revolutionary War. There are countless times where either the Union or Company has used violence to gain an upper hand in the struggle. Since the Industrial Revolution to present violence has been a tactic crucial to the war between Unions and companies.
One of the more famous examples of violence used in the labor movement is the Homestead Strike. Andrew Carnegie tried to break the strike of the Amalgamated Association of Iron and Steel Workers in 1892. When the striking workers refused to turn over the factories to nonunion workers, Carnegie hired the Pinkerton’s to break the strikers with the use of violence. The AA protected themselves with violence of their own. The two sides fought, while the head members of the AA tried to avoid further bloodshed. After hours of fighting, the Pinkerton’s finally surrendered. This was a major victory for unions, and it showed that companies(no matter how strong) cannot destroy a union that believes in solidarity.
Many laws have been past to protect unions and its members from the companies and to protect the companies from the union and its members. The Norris-La Guardia Act, also known as the Anti-Injunction Bill (1932) stated that workers who did not join a union as a condition of employment unenforceable in the federal court. The National Labor Relations Act, or Wagner Act (1935) made it legal for workers to organize a union without the fear of job loss or abuse. The Taft-Hartley Act(1947) outlawed Striking, boycotting and Picketing to protect companies, it also gave companies the right to choose if they wanted to own a union shop. The Labor Management Reporting and Disclosure Act, also known as the Landrum-Griffin Act (1959) tightened the laws against unions.
Our Current Dilemma:
As of right now, the power of unions is at a free fall. Due to massive support from the government and some bad publicity, companies have been able halt the growth of power for unions. Also the outsource of American jobs to other nations has caused a decline in the jobs available on American soil.
Companies like Wal-Mart have prevented the organization of unions within their stores. This has led to them abusing workers and their rights. It states in our Declaration of Independence that all people are created equal! But money has allowed companies to force the government to look the other way, and prevent themselves from protecting their livelihood.
It is still true that union workers are better off. They receive better benefits, better health care, and higher wages. They also receive job security. In nonunion shops workers can be let go at anytime. Nonunion workers receive little to no benefits or health care and severely diminished wages because they are unprotected.
Current laws that protect the companies from the unions out side of the striking and secret ballot voting have also attacked the basis nature of being American.
Did you know it is currently illegal for members of a rally to hold a wooden stick with a sign attached?
They say it is because the stick can be used as a weapon against law officials or Scabs. We as people should be allowed to use what ever we can find to fight back against our deep pocketed foes. Hopefully due to the poor economic situation to the country, a change in government will be able to pass some laws that will help unions, like a popularity vote instead of a secret ballot.
A Solution:
I feel that the use of violence for members to protect themselves against companies is inevitable. When you are dealing with a persons life or family, they should be allowed to do anything they can to protect them. Now I am not saying that we should kill all of management or have a killing spree of nonunion supporters. The playing field should be fair. As of right now it is not, and we as a workers you should be able even out the odds. If that leads to some of management falling down flights of stairs, or breaks some windows and merchandise, or even sets stores on fire should be an option available for people who are on strike, because if their strike breaks they are done for.
As an American you should fight for what you believe in, and You! Should as I believe in protection and equal rights for workers.
