Can Workers Strike and Win?

[dcsmart]

On February 11, 2009, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics released a report on “Major Work Stoppages in 2008.” The Federal Government defines a major work stoppage as a strike or lockout involving 1,000 employees or more that lasts at least one full shift. The government data dates from 1947 to the present. It is interesting to note that the government began collecting this data in 1947, as a result of the huge strike wave that hit the country in 1946 after the end of the Second World War

The statistics show that there were just 15 major work stoppages in 2008, down from 20 in 2006 and 21 in 2007. The last time there were more than 50 major work stoppages was twenty years ago in 1989, when there were 51. In 1981, there were 145 major work stoppages and 96 in 1982. Since then, the number of such stoppages has not gone above 81.

Look at the data from the 1960s and 1970s and one can see many more large strikes. Between 1960 and 1969, the year with the smallest number of major strikes was 1963 when there were 181 such stoppages! 1969 had the most major strikes with 412. As for the 1970s, 1978 was the year with the least major strikes, with 219, and 1974 had the highest number, with 424 such job actions.

Some labor leaders and capitalist commentators might look at these statistics and draw the conclusion that strikes are a thing of the past. The theoreticians of Big Business and their political leaders believe that workers should not expect higher wages and benefits, but must work harder for less. Unfortunately, the labor leaders echo their argument. However, no class will give up its rights and privileges without a fight and this includes the working class. The working class will fight back; but the question is not only how to fight back, but how to fight back and win.
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FULL ARTICLE
http://www.socialistappeal.org/content/view/731/71/

[RaleighNCDUer]

1. Notably, the turnover started after Reagan destroyed the

air traffic controllers - declaring open season on unions. it's not been the same since.

[cyclezealot]

2. If the job can be off shored. Of course it's futile.

The controller's strike during Reagan's tenure was small potatoes compared to what Nafta did to Labor.