Unions

The Danish village (see facebook and Zvilupp Sostenibbli)   In the late 70’s the unions were at their heyday in most countries.  They were the main force behind social change and they wanted to establish the welfare state as a permanent structure and were forming the idea that the man is holistic and one cannot see the worker as extraneous to the same worker when s/he is part of the family.  This concept was underpinning the concept of a sustainable workforce.  They were a strong social force that could oust a government.  This occurred in many countries. 

 

In the UK, after the winter of discontent they ousted the Labour government.  Little did they realize that their apex of power was also their ‘eve of their destruction’.  With the advent of Margaret Thatcher the Right in many countries took control and the first thing they did was to curb the powers of trade unions and castrate them. 

But Rightists governments were not the only force.  There were other forces at work.  The main one was that the world had changed under their feet without them realising it. 
 
There were two main forces at work.  The first was globalisation which at that time, due to technological advancement, created one global labour market.  A national union can fight successfully in a closed national labour market but could never have any effect on a globalised labour market unless ‘the workers of the world unite’.

The second factor was labour itself.  Education changed labour itself.  Whereas before, workers could only identify themselves through groups, with their higher educational status could identify themselves on their own.  They believed that they could make it on their own without the help of others and thus solidarity dwindled.  This was the case of certain occupations especially highly technical and professional.  Little did they realise that globalisation affects all.  Whereas in previous times, these workers could use their political power to corner a market and thus ensure high wages and superb conditions of work, the opening to globalisation increased supply.

This reminds me of Niemöller, a German pastor who after being imprisoned for eight years in concentration camps, he penned these infamous words:

First they came for the Socialists,
and I did not speak out –
because I was not a Socialist.
Then they came for the Trade Unionist,
and I did not speak out –
because I was not a Trade Unionist.
Then they came for the Jews,
and I did not speak out –
because I was not a Jew.
And then they came for me –
and there was no one left to speak for me.”

It is still too early for people to realize the great limitations of individualism.  Hopefully, the times of solidarity among people will again be considered as a vital social value.