Where is the AFL-CIO on things like $15 to $24 an hour minimum wage or on the universal basic income (UBI). Also, the idea that the French has on a universal robot tax to support the UBI. A robot tax because the more technology advances, the more machines take over our jobs. Then, there is the attack on the U.S. prevailing wage, the Davis-Bacon Act, which Republicans have attack and now want to end prevailing wage protections.
This is not only a union matter, but a nonunion issue for all workers who now earn a living wage when working on government jobs. It is time unions and nonunion workers get together and hit the streets, and if we don’t the workers will be working for less than minimum wage and no union healthcare or pensions.
The union busting GOP are turning the working class against itself, black against white, men against women, Jews against nonJews. Using hate, division, white supremacy, misogyny, religion and racism are the choice weapons in every union busting fight in this country.
What the AFL-CIO needs is a national strike to test the power of unions and to build confidence in our workers, and also to see where our strengths and weaknesses are. Use this information to begin ro rebuild our power base by engaging the rank and file, the people inside the trade union membership, and by also campaigning for the hearts and minds of the unorganized working class for they could be the reserve troops when the street battles begin.
So far, our unions have been on the defense and we are losing. The best defense is a good offense, and we had better start our offense. In order to do this, we have to have a plan for what we want and need. Some defensive actions, such as strikes and boycotts, are a good start and could help build our membership or at least support on the upcoming battles.
It is us against the billionaires, and don’t forget the GOP’s right to work bill that they want to get passed nationwide. If they want a national right to work bill, then we must counter with a national strike.
Unions’ long game is to get all union contracts to expire on the same day nationwide. The United Auto Workers combines contracts ends on April 28, 2028. This could then result in a mass national strike starting on May Day beeginning that year. This could then put enormous pressure on employers, but also on lawmakers. It’s the muscle and sweat of the workers that keeps this country great, not the individual company or corporations. This May Day strike would be the time to change the workers’ world for the better by negotiating for a 32-hour week with the same pay, and the U.S. adopts a healthcare for all with no out of pocket costs. This would also help the employers as they would no longer have to provide healthcare. By striking, the UAW won same pay for new workers, all UAW contracts will end on the same date, a 25-percent pay increase, a cost of living adjustments, a guaranteed right to strike over potential plant closures, and also the right to vote to unionize through the card che
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