Date: Sat, 20 Dec 1997 11:51:01 +0000
From: Lew <Lew-AT-dialogues.demon.co.uk>
Subject: Re: M-I: Rank and file committees


In article <Pine.SUN.3.95.971219194129.29505A-100000-AT-sunspot.tiac.net>,
"Bruce D. Burleson" <anvil-AT-tiac.net> writes

>On Fri, 19 Dec 1997, Lew wrote:
>
>> Rank and file committees within the unions tend to be manipulative,
>> divisive and ultimately counter productive. 
>
>
>Total baloney.  Rank-and-file committees are a great way for workers
>with advanced political ideas to share them, in the course of struggle,
>with workers whose ideas are backward.

I think this confirms my claim.

>Again, baloney.  I think it all has to do with HOW the leftists 
>approach the union.  If it is done in a sectarian way (i.e. thrusting
>newspapers in the faces of workers on a picket line) and not a
>way that contributes in a positive way to the struggle (e.g., building
>solidarity committees, making coffee on the picket line, helping
>workers who are out of strike funds), then your point is valid.  But
>again it all depends on what the strategy is.

This kind of intervention is parasitical on the workers struggles. For
this is not mere helping out (making coffee, etc) but "helping out" for
a particular purpose - the purpose of the leftist organisation not
necessarily the workers involved. As I said before, this approach is
manipulative. What is more, workers have increasingly come to see this
kind of "strategy" for what it is, and they don't like it. Perhaps
they're not so "backward" after all?

>Well, what an ultraleft argument if I ever heard one.  Why don't we
>just write off the unions, then, since Lew thinks they're now irrelevant
>to the struggle for revolution?

Not irrelevant to the defence of the working class, as I said, but not
suitable for bringing about revolutionry political action. 
  
>How idiotic.  Unions are why we have a WEEKEND, not to mention child
>labor laws, overtime laws, and (in the U.S.) OSHA.  Hello?

Unions have brought about social reform, I don't deny it. But social
revolution is something altogether different. By their origin, structure
and function unions are not suited to that task.

-- 
Lew


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