SOME UNIONS HAVE FORGOTTEN THEIR BEGINNINGS AND NOW SEEK ACCOMMODATION WITH MORIBUND POLITICIANS

The activist talked about reaching out to Unions in different parts of Connecticut about social praxis around issues of egalitarian rights. After all if one reads the History of The Labor Movement by Philip S.Foner, then it is clear Unions were started and nurtured on protest. In one of Foner's three volume sets "From Colonial Times to the Founding of The American Federation of Labor" it is clear Unions and the people who believe in them also embrace praxis. However the activist who contacted this blog writer encountered another type of Union person, those that seek to avoid confrontation with oppressors. The activist said that recent attempts to organize labor forces into action this coming April met with push back. It seems as if other Unions outside of Hartford- led by organizers who either do not know labor history or don't care about it- are not willing to engage in street protests as part of a comprehensive strategy to attack oppression. At several meetings youthful labor organizers equated street protest with "hollering and screaming." Yes it is true that when the subject of peaceful demonstrations were broached the Union folks said "we do not want to be disorganized by hollering and screaming. We would rather talk to lawmakers. " Now it is clear that these neo-Union organizers not only have lost the dream and vision of Unions, but equate the mainstay of labor protest as "disorganized hollering and screaming."

Over the last few decades comments such as the people in Unions outside of Hartford made are part and parcel of a malaise known as accommodation with the oppressor. Just walking into buildings and talking to lawmakers is only one part of strategy. Talking is another form of praxis, both verbal discussion and direct action are necessary to impinge on the oppressor they must address needs of the unwashed masses. What the activist told this writer is how current Union leadership outside of Hartford is scared of street protests and getting arrested; lumping both with mindless activity on the part of the uneducated. The demise of once powerful labor Unions have happened due to tepid responses to oppression; powerful forces cut budgets and resources to the poor and needy but Union officials want to enter into endless disputations, verbal masturbation, with short term relief. Is it any wonder why the powerful no longer fear Labor Unions? I would not fear weak in the knee, vacillating people from these labor forces either, all they are going to do is sit down for "fruitful discussions" with oppressors who do not care about what is being said. Hell, they know you are scared and you prove it by wanting to avoid direct action.

In conclusion some of the great labor leaders of the past must be turning over in their graves about these tepid and spineless Union people outside of Hartford, and their refusal to hit the streets.