The country was shocked to learn that railroaders can get fired for getting sick. These are the workers who forced their union to fight on their behalf, capturing the attention of the nation.
Ryan, I heard you on Bad Faith this week. I appreciate your level-headed and strategic view on this issue. This is a very informative piece. Thank you!
In my opinion, not being a railway worker myself, I have thought about this since the strike was first mooted and here is the tentative conclusion I have arrived at, such as it is, and why it is so:
This is something with so many moving parts, with so many of those parts hidden from view, that those who have to make the crucial decisions were most unlikely to get it right enough to deal properly enough with the problem, setting for a compromise bound to leave many very dissatisfied about. Pointing fingers and naming names in this case is un unproductive thing to do. It is clear to me that a prolonged railway strike would have been a disaster both economically and politically. It is also clear that jobs that offer no sick days as a benefit, particularly while on top of that the work force is cut to the bone, so a smaller work force has to shoulder an intensified work load, that such working conditions and their reason to be are abominations. Successfully reconciling both aspects of this dilemma is a very unlikely proposition.
And the lack of unity among railway workers that has been mudding the waters all along is, among other things, also reflection of the national divide between red and blue that is the cause of the serious sickness afflicting this country's democracy.
I learned a lot from this article! I’d say the craft unions in the entertainment industry could use a course in leadership and tactics from these railroad people.
Congratulations on an excellent background and what-may-come piece!
Ryan, I heard you on Bad Faith this week. I appreciate your level-headed and strategic view on this issue. This is a very informative piece. Thank you!
Great and inspiring story I liked the part that some of the organizing began at an union meeting fighting over sweatshirts
In my opinion, not being a railway worker myself, I have thought about this since the strike was first mooted and here is the tentative conclusion I have arrived at, such as it is, and why it is so:
This is something with so many moving parts, with so many of those parts hidden from view, that those who have to make the crucial decisions were most unlikely to get it right enough to deal properly enough with the problem, setting for a compromise bound to leave many very dissatisfied about. Pointing fingers and naming names in this case is un unproductive thing to do. It is clear to me that a prolonged railway strike would have been a disaster both economically and politically. It is also clear that jobs that offer no sick days as a benefit, particularly while on top of that the work force is cut to the bone, so a smaller work force has to shoulder an intensified work load, that such working conditions and their reason to be are abominations. Successfully reconciling both aspects of this dilemma is a very unlikely proposition.
And the lack of unity among railway workers that has been mudding the waters all along is, among other things, also reflection of the national divide between red and blue that is the cause of the serious sickness afflicting this country's democracy.
These are the brave folks standing Union strong & carrying their union along! Thank you from this retired Teamster.
The Railway Labor Act needs to be terminated. Are rail workers disappointed with Tlaib, Bernie and others for voting against the initial bill?
I just posted a comment and it vanished the moment I ushed the "Post" button. I wonder what went wrong.
I learned a lot from this article! I’d say the craft unions in the entertainment industry could use a course in leadership and tactics from these railroad people.