Date: Thu, 21 Aug 1997 08:25:33 -0600
From: Neil Fettes <fettesn-AT-cadvision.com>
Subject: AUT: What Matters in the UPS Strike.




There are a number of issues that come up as a result of the recent
Teamster/ UPS strike. The first stories I heard /saw all announced this deal
was a good deal for everyone concerned. Surely some mistake here?

Several things happened as a result of this strike. It was a victory for
Carey. He took his members out, thus bolstering his reputation as a
militant, and he brought them back, thus showing capital he could be relied
upon. Someone else in this discussion mentioned that Carey represents a
change for the Teamsters because he switched alliegence back to the
Democrats from the Republicans. This switch is probably one reason why
Clinton didn't intervene in the strike.
 
Was it a victory for the Teamsters? Many of the "public" clauses seek to
undermine that. A five year contract is a very long deal, and the
committment to new jobs is also uncertain. Finally the fact that the
Teamsters get to retain control over their pension fund is a mixed blessing.
After all the Teamsters are themselves not without a history of mismanagement.

This strike was not a revolutionary strike. Clearly not a victory over
"corporate power." I think it was Paul who mentioned that it was just a good
old fashioned trade union strike; however, it's been so long since we've
seen one that didn't end in a humiliating defeat perhaps it caught us off
guard. Last month workers at Cargill's Alberta plant struck the company for
the first time in its history. One sticking point was the company's offer of
$1.50 over four years, while the union wanted $1.95 over three. They settled
on $1.50 over three and a half. I almost wept when I heard! Still, for a
brief moment there was unity in the plant. Cargill's workers, the vast
majority for whom English was a second language, came together. Perhaps we
can take some solace from the UPS strike. 

Everytime we win one, the next is easier.  

CGs

Neil 



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