Conversations with a friend on labour-Capital relations.

I was having a conversation with my friend about the research he was doing on a strike that happened over 100 years ago. We were brainstorming and it got me excited for my ideas, so I thought I would put a bit up for reading. The ideas may be expanded upon in the future on my blog and in my writings.

10:07pmMe

The blame for the violence fell on the homestead strikers and public opinion swayed back. The government moved harshly against them, and the mill simply shut down ending unionization on that particular plant.

10:09pmMe

Not surprising as Marx himself had the viewpoint of Government that coincided with this.

Pretending neutrality to maintain order, but serving the interests of the rich. Not that the rich agreed among themselves: they had disputes over policies. But the purpose of the state was to settle upper-class disputes peaceably, control lower class rebellion, and adopt policies that would further the long-range stability of the system. -Howard Zinn in The People’s History of the United States

While many unions continued successfully with their struggles, in this steel business area the combined might of capital, and the politicians they owned, proved too much for Steel workers.

The gap is growing still. The recent court decisions, union membership, and trends of southern states to become right to work states, has lead to a realization. The government still seeks to settle disputes between capitalists, not workers and business. Giants such as wall-mart crush the unions before they form all the same. In many parts of the country to speak of unions, is to speak for socialism, a word looked at with disgust.

10:14pmMe

The government does nothing to aid labor in making a place as equals to capital, instead it is always the subjugated to rich white men.

10:15pmMe

You know what

I have to stop

I could actually see writing a good paper on this myself...