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I. In the News: In America, Labor has an
Unusually Long Fuse
II. Tell Rite Aid: Stop the union busting
and sign a first contract
III. NC Registration Deadline: Friday April
10th
I. In the News: In
American, Labor has an Unusually Long Fuse
by Steven Greenhouse
"When General Moters recently announced huge job cuts
worldwide, 15,000 workers demonstrated at the company's German
headquarters.
But in the United States, where G.M. plans its biggest
layoffs, union members have seemed passive in comparison. They may yell
at the television news, but that's about all. Unlike their European
counterparts, American workers have largely stayed off the streets,
even as unemployment soars and companies cut wages and benefits."
For the whole article, go to the NY
Times Website.
DISCUSSION QUESTIONS
1. What do you think of the different reasons the
article uses to explain why the working class in the U.S. seems to have
a "long fuse"?
2. Why do you think that trade unionists and workers in
the U.S. have not taken to the streets in the same way that trade
unionists in Europe have?
3. Do you think the tactics used by workers in France
and elsewhere are appropriate for the political situation here? Do you
think the French and German demonstrations have stopped companies from
firing workers?
4. What do you think of the quote from Professor Kennedy
at the end of the article saying, "This generation, he said, has "found
more effective ways to change the world. It's signed up for political
campaigns, and it's not waiting for things to get so desperate that
they feel forced to take the streets"?
II. Tell Rite Aid: Stop
union busting and sign a first contract
Companies aren't supposed to attack workers who want a
union, but Rite Aid and other employers are doing it every day. When
650 workers at Rite Aid's distribution center in Lancaster, CA wanted
to join a union to address problems like sweltering heat in the
warehouse, the company threatened and fired them.
Sign
the petition from Jobs with Justice (JwJ) and tell Rite Aid stop
the union busting now!
III. National Council
Registration Ends on April 10th!
Make sure that you sign up for the YCL's NC meeting by
extended deadline April 10th! At the meeting April 25th and 26th in
Chicago we will be assessing our role in the fight back over the
economic crisis, building the YCL and making plans for our Convention
in 2010. Sign the online
registration form and make sure you are part of this important
event!
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