Unions Without Strikes, Hamilton Nolan, In These Times

[OT+]

Brothers and Sisters this is a must read!

[The Direct Line]

"...organized labor finds itself waiting for a referee who no longer exists." I would disagree with that statement because that "referee" does exist. His name is Sean M. O'Brien, Boston's very own. Also, general president of the Teamsters.

"The union world will either wake up to this reality very soon, or be smashed while it is waiting for the return of a comforting, bureaucratic system of protection that is already gone." In Teamsters world, the IBT "leadership", meaning the general president. already "woke"up. All our chips are on Trump.

"We have the power of the strike. That is the one power that no president or court or employer can ever take away." Obviously, the author doesn't know the real power of a practice picket line. In his latest episode of "Better Bad Ideas" with the Secretary of Labor it was threat of the strike that resulted in a $30 billion contract at UPS.

Great article but for too long our unions have wanted us to focus on "bread and butter issues" . Immigration is not a labor issue. Palestine is not a labor issue. LGTBQ+ is not a labor issue. This business unionism has damaged solidarity. Like that commerical ad for President Trump's 2024 election "She is for them, Trump is for you". That captures the mentality of thousands upon thousands of our union siblings. They don't care about their respective union because that is us and not me. We are at that moment.

[Bob Randall]

SOB is not a referee. He is not even on the court. He is clearly nothing more than a self-interested person. He sits back quietly while union organizations are being targeted and burned down slowly. Absent a country wide, collective action, involving all unions there soon will be no Teamsters Union that we recognize. Trump is not even trying to hide the fact that he is trying to eliminate unions while O'Brien continues to support the orange Jesus while remaining silent. A General President's concerns and actions, first and foremost, should be to protect and advance the union. Teamsters should be leading the collective action to win and advance union rights. SOB is an open sell out. "All our chips are on Trump" is about the most stupid thing that I have ever heard.

[Nickjamesups]

Bob Randal, I agree with your assessment totally. Now I have a simple yes or no question for you , in your opinion should the person you just described ( O’Brien) be invited to be a speaker at the TDU convention? Should an “ open sellout “ be honored to speak at the 50th anniversary of TDU ?

[Gimliboston9]

Nickjames don’t you realize with O’Brien endorsing locals now support TDU and fill their conventions? Paff would invite Trump to speak if he thought it would bring more money in. T$D$U$

[Thisischange?]

Preach!!!!!

[The Direct Line]

"...organized labor finds itself waiting for a referee who no longer exists." I would disagree with that statement because that "referee" does exist. His name is Sean M. O'Brien, Boston's very own. Also, general president of the Teamsters." This was my attempt of snarky sarcasm. The general president is not genuine. Like comrade Randall so perfectly said, "SOB is an open sell out".

[NYNick]

I’m not sure anyone would ever believe O’Brien would actually strike anyone! He is all talk and no action! Likes to go on media events and talk about it but really gives a “wink and a nod” to the likes of UPS and Lets them know it’s all a show for the members.
look at that farce of the planned four day strike at Amazon! Why would you announce that it would be only for four days?
Berlin Rosen PR event.