Raising expectations and raising hell – book review

[alanjjohnstone]

This sounds of interest if the book review is an accurate representation of its content and perhaps explores the topic of many of our threads…

http://www.socialistproject.ca/bullet/970.php#continue

"…three lessons seem especially important. First, any gains made under capitalism are temporary; they can be reversed. Second, the kind of unionism we developed in that earlier period of gains was inherently limited; it left us in a poor position to respond to the subsequent attacks. Third, absent new forms of working-class organization and practices, fatalism takes over and worker expectations fall…"

Whether the alternative model of organising is the answer, is the debate and part of the one we should be having. I have my reservations about the capacity of unions being the vehicle outside the workplace to effect community concerns, even getting them to encompass an industry is somewhat challenging. They are there to advance the interest of their members. It has always been the role of the socialist party (small s, small p) to organise the wider elements of society where the unons were simply one component but perhaps the most decisive and powerful parts of the whole. Historically, at least…whether this balance remains can also be debated these days but my opinion is that because production is always primary, those involved in the organisation of production is crucial.

Anyways, has anybody  read the book in full and got something to add

 

 

[alanjjohnstone]

A contrasting less than glowing review here.http://talkingunion.wordpress.com/2012/12/22/bidding-adieu-to-seiu-lessons-for-its-next-generation-of-organizers/and her reply to thathttp://talkingunion.wordpress.com/2012/12/23/response-to-steve-earlys-review-of-raising-expectations/A turf-war between union factions. I misunderstood the community/union relationship…she wants the style of community social activism introduced to union organising. In many ways such as with walmart and fast-food, this style of non-union labor organising is taken place. I think this is what she has in mind or at least at the back of her mind.

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