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Aug 20, 2012
Posted by Chuck Rocha
At a Caterpillar plant in Joliet, IL that makes
hydraulic pumps for Caterpillar machinery,
members of the International Association of
Machinists and Aerospace Workers, known as IAM,
have ended their strike in defeat.
The
decision to go on strike came after Caterpillar
threatened to cut employee pay by up to 50%,
increase its healthcare costs, restrict the
right for flexible shifts, and decrease
employees' signing bonuses. Despite earning
record revenue in 2012 and distributing
lucrative executive compensation packages,
Caterpillar is undermining the workers who turn
innovations into reality on the factory floor.
Moreover, the global financial recession makes
it easier for corporations like Caterpillar to
get away with immoral practices when it comes
to the treatment of American
workers.
The Caterpillar plant in Illinois
serves as a case study of this unfortunate
phenomenon. This strike, in which over 800
workers walked out of the plant in protest, did
not stop the company's production. In fact,
Caterpillar had plenty of trained support
staff, retirees, and new hires ready to replace
the strikers and earn a paycheck. Those
strikers trying to take a stand for what is
right conceded to all of Caterpillar's demands,
gaining only the ratification bonus they
originally wanted. The workers were on strike
for close to four months, and chose to sign the
ratified deal because they realized they would
never be given a better
offer.
In
another Caterpillar plant in London, Ontario,
workers who went on strike due to similar
complaints about new contract changes received
a devastating blow. Instead of reconciling with
the workers and opting to contribute to the
local economy, Caterpillar decided to close the
plant, stating that it was no longer
competitive due to wage demands and union
rules. Without any consideration for the
community's workers and their respective
families, Caterpillar left thousands of
Americans out of work.
The
global financial recession has not only forced
many Americans to settle for less, but has
undermined the effectiveness of strikes and
labor unions. The power of - and solidarity
among - labor unions everywhere is waning.
Union members must be able to stand together
against unfair work conditions without the fear
of losing their job and with it the ability to
provide for their respective families. Labor
unions must maintain their power to prevent
corporate greed from taking advantage of the
current economic situation, which forces
workers to cross the picket line in order to
put food on the
table.
While labor's power may be
diminishing, there is no doubt that organized
labor still has the power of organization, as
witnessed in Wisconsin last year. Thousands of
workers stormed the Capitol building advocating
for essential workers' rights, such as
collective bargaining. The demonstrations in
Wisconsin were one of the purest examples of
mobilization, activism and solidarity in labor
union's long and pivotal history.
The
United States is capable of achieving
significant change based on social and economic
justice. Unfortunately, corporate powers have
the ability to render unions almost pointless.
People need employment, and as long as they
have no alternative, they will deal with a less
than appealing work situation in order to
maintain their lifestyle. This can no longer be
allowed to continue.
The views expressed in this blog are those of the authors and do not necessarily represent the views of the Center for National Policy.
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