Radical Labor Movements

Radical Labor Movement

2006

The ability and style of union representation to negotiate and manage for their membership is based on how key issues arise , the ability for leaders to communicate with their members , and the level of unity and cooperation among members . Although leaders may act in `good faith how the membership views their role within the organization affects or limits their ability control the situation . Similarly , union leaders who take a proactive approach to situations , and create the model for member 's actions despite the outcome , are far more

likely to gain control of their membership than leaders who look for action by their members after a situation arises

There are many reasons why people either join unions or form one . A poll by the Employment Law Alliance found that the top four reasons for people joining a union were increased wages , better benefits , increased job security , and workplace safety (Employees Look to Unions . How people view the role of unions , and where they feel their place is in a union is affected by the cultural and social structure of their society (Von Holdt , p155-156

When referring to the aggressiveness of a union , or their proactive approach to handling problems , the term militant is commonly used Although this is a common term , the meaning of it and the actions that a militant union takes differ depending on the society in which the union exists and the time period

In Australia during the 1970 leader Jack Mundey had a militant view of organized labor , which was not condoned by other leadership despite the general acceptance and practice of the membership . In his views , he believed that militant actions were necessary for unions to win the battle for higher wages and better working conditions , and encouraged public transportation not to charge fairs , food manufacturers to donate food to the needy , and industry to take action against scab-built construction (Burgmann Burgmann , p80-81

As strikes prolonged and the use of scab workers became common practice militant ' action such as showing up to sites in gangs to intimidating scabs to leave , and sabotage of equipment or destruction of property was common practice . What was not condoned was any acts of violence against an individual both on management and labor side , which was an important issue stressed by labor leaders (Burgmann Burgmann , p90-93

The labor movement in South Africa however , had a different view in what the term militant meant . During the period of the 1980s , acts of militancy were associated with acts of violence . The purpose of this violence was to develop fear among the membership and keep control of individuals through beatings with a sjambok (Von Holdt , p156

How a union governs itself it dependent on many social factors and the diversity of the membership . When bottom-up organizing , it is not the role of the leaders to create the issues for which people will unite or rally to , it is identify the needs that affect people and facilitate a forum in which...