[PEN-L:1982] Re: Something completely different

[Elaine Bernard <HTUP@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

I can't agree with Bill on the French Strikes, nor about unions.
If labor isn't in the forefront of the environmentalist movement
or for that matter the anti interventionist movement, it doesn't
mean that it is opposed to it.  I've seen some of the CGTs
statements on this strike and they are not simply over the
train workers retirement, though frankly, I think that is
worth holding on to.  I don't see the rights of one group
of workers, yes even white males, as always counterposed
to everyone else, including women, and minorities.

On the women's issue, even the Australian labor movement
is somewhat contradictory.  Afterall, Australia has one of
the smallest wage gaps between men and women.

This strike is not about being pro nuke, anti woman or
anti immigrant.  I also think that being anti neo-liberal
and opposed to cuts in the social safety provisions
is useful.

And I don't think it's because the rest of us are incapable
of criticizing unions.  I think it's just we still think
unions are vital organizations for working people and
when we seem them mobilizing against the New Rights
agrenda of privatization, deruglation and free trade
we don't think we should be on the sidelines saying
we have no interest in the outcome of this struggle, or
worst, they are just a labor aristocracy, so to hell
with them.

I guess we just disagree.

Elaine Bernard
Harvard Trade Union Program