Date: Fri, 30 Aug 1996 08:32:14 +0200 (MET DST)
From: malecki-AT-algonet.se (Robert Malecki)
Subject: Re: Labor & Racism: Construction Trades


Louis G. writes;  
>
>An important task of Marxists and progressives in the labor movement is to
>squarely face this phenomenon--which has its echo throughout much of the
>labor movement.     There is much truth,  unfortunately,  to the
>charge--leveled by MIM,  Rakesh,  and others,  that the labor movement in
>America is,  indeed,  permeated with the privileges and the perogatives of a
>"labor aristocracy",  acting hand in hand with the employers and against the
>interests of the world's (largely impoverished) workers. 
>
>The question is:  where do we go from here?
>
>
>Louis Godena
>
I know that Godena does not read my posts. However this question is becoming 
a fairly warm subject here in Sweden. The solution that is being thrown 
around is the system of quoting. However the system if implemented is used 
to kick out the legs from under the trade unions especially around the 
question of last in first out. But also the degree of trade union 
conciousness. That is today there are employers that would gladly employ 
foreign nationals and women as a strategy of breaking the backs of the trade 
unions at various work places.

Naturally fighting for non-state intervention in the work places by 
demanding that the trade unions take responsibility for all aspects of 
affirmative action would be the correct line. However the entrenched trade 
union bureaucracy finds it hardly in their interests to do so. In fact 
racism in Sweden was fueled by some of the leading trade union bureacrats 
here a few years back. Where they took over the program of the populist 
right wing party called "New Democracy" basically saying that foreign 
nationals should be deported because if they don,t live on welfare they are 
taking our jobs.

In order to combat this i think we need a two edged axe. Putting forth 
candidates in the unions which take up this question along with others. But 
also building special organisations amongst the foreign nationals and urban 
poor for special work among these elements. Only in this way can we combat 
the present lumpenisation and trade union facism directed at the minorities 
and foreign nationals..

bob malecki





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