Like any other organizations, labor unions have their flaws. However, I don't think it's an exaggeration to say that nearly every improvement in working conditions (e.g., 5-day work week, 8-hour work day, overtime pay, minimum wage, workmen's compensation, right to organize, occupational safety and health, etc., etc.) for Americans has come about because of the labor movement. I also don't think it's an exaggeration to argue that unrestrained corporate power, without any check or balance by law and/or by a healthy labor movement, is a bad thing.Unfortunately, since Ronald Reagan came to power in 1981, there has been an all-out assault against organized labor by powerful, well-funded corporate interests (and the politicians who
That's why I'm happy to see articles like this one, indicating that despite the all-out assault against it, the labor movement still is alive and kicking here in Virginia (and nationally).
Organized labor has long gotten a cold reception in Virginia, but national unions are making an unprecedented push to expand their presence in the state, contributing huge sums to Democratic candidates and attempting to organize government employees as layoffs loom.
The unions have played a major role in local races, including making a $50,000 contribution to Fairfax County Supervisor Sharon Bulova's campaign for board chairman. And they are preparing to dedicate significant resources to this year's hotly contested campaign for governor.
[...]
Labor leaders said they are not aiming for a large-scale shift in state law, but they are hoping for less-drastic policy changes. They said they will push hard to elect a Democratic governor and help Democrats take control of the House of Delegates. If they are successful, they plan to seek reforms to the state's workers' compensation program and secure a higher minimum wage.
My god, can you imagine? Improved workers' compensation and a higher minimum wage? Next thing you know, the commies will be raising the hammer and sickle over the state capitol building. Laughable, I know, but the shills for corporate America - mainly Republicans - actually do use fear tactics like those (e.g, "it will harm business," "it's the path to socialism," blah blah) to harm workers and to increase the profits of corporations (hey, how's that working out for you guys these days?). Even sadder, the corporate shills have had some of their greatest "successes" right here in Virginia, and now they are "worried" that their power might be whittled away just a tad:
Republicans and some business leaders said they worry that the recent activity is setting the stage for a broader effort to repeal laws that have secured the state's reputation as one of the most business-friendly in the country. Virginia is one of 22 "right to work" states, where employees cannot be compelled to join their company union.
Virginia is also one of only two states that ban collective bargaining for public employees, the other being North Carolina. Elsewhere, unions are able to represent workers in contract negotiations.
Wow, that's truly something to be proud of, "one of only two states that ban collective bargaining for public employees." Not.
As far as being "business friendly" is concerned, I'm certainly all for that, as long as "business friendly" is balanced with "worker friendly," "environment friendly," and - more broadly - "human friendly." Unfortunately, here in Virginia, the balance has gotten a bit out of whack, and as a result we've got some of the worst polluters and most egregious exploiters of workers (e.g., Smithfield Foods) in the country. Now, if the Washington Post article is any indication, there's hope this situation may be changing. That's good news for anyone who wants to live in a state that's friendly to more than just business interests with big money and big political influence.
