A while back I realized that doing responses to meme’s and postings on Facebook was an endless and surface way to give voice to my almost 50 years in the labor movement. A few months ago I posted a longer piece that attempted to give a blue-collar look at current events. Somewhat to my surprise, it was welcomed and shared. Also to my surprise, I found myself posting an regular opinion piece. I was trying to fill a gap in what people see and hear from the mainstream media and how blue-collar and union activists view what’s happening to us. A number of FB friends suggested that these editorials might be welcomed by a broader audience and suggested this Substack approach. So here I am, giving it a try. If you like reading a one view from working America, then help make this a success by subscribing. No cost, and I welcome your responses. Let’s see how this goes…
Solidarity is a natural condition. Most of us do our best every shift to support one another. WHY is this not a bigger deal? The modern unions are dogeatdog competitive - the opposite of Solidarity. We need a new Solidarity Movement, not reinforcement of dogeatdog competition and plant closings. Find thegood people in your own workplace who enjoy each other and who work to make their jobs as fair as possible. Organizing begins with the good folks we work with, not some competitive organizer from the fake union bureaucracy...who are on the other side.
Ike, I look forward to your pieces. I shared On Less Than Twenty Days today with the following comment:
"Long read but worth it if you need some hope in your life. There are many ppl around us who are as fiercely concerned as the author, we are not alone."
Please keep speaking up. You may not get lots of comments but many of us are listening.
PS: Could you please run for president in 2028?