RE: What is Organized Labour

[jdoggett <jdoggett@kent.edu>]

>From this submission, I see the following points that should concern organized 
labor entities.

1.  The entity should bargain collectively for all members.  The members 
should not engage management over wage issues individually.

2.  The entity should ensure that workers receive compensation commiserate 
with the job.

3.  There is a moral responsibility for the union to safeguard laborers from 
arduous working hours and conditions.

4.  The entity should make the lives of laborers more enjoyable by protecting 
the external affairs of the employee.  This guarantee takes the form of a 
positive home-life--or life outside of employment.

5.  The entity must engage the political body that oversees the geographical 
location in which the employee works.  The entity must compel government 
bodies to pass, and I assume enforce, legislation that protects and guarantees 
the workers their rights, which presumably the entity sought and acquired.

6.  The entity must be ever unceasing in their commitment and struggle.  The 
union cannot, for any reason, relent.

7.  The union must ensure that the workers live in a civil society where civil 
liberties and civil rights are enjoyed in a free and democratic society.

Are these all of the points contained within the preamble?  Did I miss any?  
Did I transcribe from below anything incorrectly into the points above?

Sincerely,
Joseph Doggett



At 11:01 AM 1/12/01 -0500, you wrote:
Hi, discussion group:

I will quote from the preamble to the constitution of the
Communications, Energy and Paperworkers Union of Canada.  I think it
captures some of the answer to the question "What is Organized Labour".

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"Believing that all persons have a natural right to the full enjoyment
of the wealth created by their labour and believing that such cannot be
fully realized except through the united, free and democratic
organization of working men and women, we do hereby unite ourselves to
create the Communications, Energy and Paperworkers Union of Canada,
which shall operate as an independent and autonomous labour union.

"It shall be the object of this Union to establish and maintain
collective bargaining for the benefit of the workers within its
jurisdiction and to conduct a never-ceasing effort to secure just
compensation for the workers, reasonable hours of work and working
conditions conducive to safety, good health and full enjoyment of life.

"It shall be the further object of this Union to secure legislation
safeguarding and promoting economic security and the social welfare of
all workers, and to remain vigilant in the interest of preserving and
extending civil rights and liberties within a free and democratic
society."

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Brian Kohler