Wisconsin: The fight for the future
But in Wisconsin, teachers, nurses and public workers refused to relinquish their basic rights without a fight. Students and Green Bay Packers rallied to their side. State Democrats left the state to block action on the legislation and let the demonstrations build.
Many national Democrats were hesitant to support the protests, but President Barack Obama said the basic truth —, that this was an “assault on unions.” Organizing for America, the Obama campaign vehicle, called its members out in support. Initial press coverage was limited, but the social media – Twitter, Facebook, Tumbler – was abuzz The progressive blogosphere — MoveOn, Daily Kos and more – mobilized.Continue Reading
The stakes are immense. Unions, like free speech and democratic elections, are a centerpiece of democracy. That’s why the right to organize and bargain collectively is a fundamental human right — enshrined in international law and treaties.
The United States has championed independent free trade unions around the globe— from Solidarno??”in Poland to the CTUWS, the independent unions that helped drive the demonstrations in Cairo. Unions give workers voice at the workplace, and direct experience in work place democracy.
Unions are the primary counter to the power of wealth that can distort our elections. Through them, workers become a vital source of funds and volunteers for candidates who will support their interests. The Civil Rights Movement, among others, could not have triumphed without union support.
Strong unions are also central to a thriving economy. They help workers gain a fair share of the profits and productivity that they work to generate. Unions gave us the weekend, child labor laws, workplace safety protections They were central to building the broad middle class, which was the postwar triumph of American democracy.
It isn’t surprising that, as unions have lost ground since 1980, inequality has grown to Gilded Age extremes. Nor that the advanced countries with stronger unions – like Germany and Sweden – have fared far better in sustaining widely shared prosperity while navigating the currents of globalization.
Wisconsin is the first fierce battle in what will be a brutal and extended struggle. Will America come out of the economic collapse with policies that revive a broad middle class and widely shared prosperity? Or will the power of wealth and Wall Street succeed in continuing the squeeze on working and middle class families?
Will unions, the critical counter to the power of wealth in the democracy, be crippled? Or will those who had the party be held accountable for the mess they left behind? Walker picked this fight. Now across the country, people will have to decide, in words of the old union song, “Which side are you on?”
Robert L. Borosage is president of the Institute for America’s Future and co-director of its sister organization, the Campaign for America’s Future.
Get reporter alerts