The Commandments of Labor

Editor’s Note: Ramsdell, an Equipment Service worker at Northwest Airlines (and member of IAM Local 804) who supports the mechanics’ and cleaners’ strike at his company, lays out some ideas that can help unions and workers both in the industry and elsewhere move toward a solidarity-based revival.

Things continue to erode for working Americans, and the labor movement has been dealt set back after set back. Part of the problem is that Labor's message, focus, and ideals have been lost on working people. In some areas, unions are divided and different groups are battling amongst each other. The following ideas are advanced as an effort to refocus labor's efforts on what is important, and to help develop a platform of common ground between various labor groups and affiliations.

What are the sacred tenants of labor? Is there any common ground we can all cling to in an effort to redefine the movement for working people, regardless of their affiliation or union? Can we build a platform that non-union employees will understand and seek to become involved with? If we can clarify the principles that was once was the strength of labor, and set ground rules for our differences, are there areas for us to work together?

1. Organize Always.

   This is the first and most fundamental challenge all labor faces. Has there been a large-scale public national drive since the "Union Yes" campaigns in the late 1980's? Every possible effort should be invested in increasing labors overall numbers. This can be done with minimal competition between the different affiliations. If unions are not getting bigger they are losing the fight.

   The key to any unions effectiveness is the power of the membership. This power also comes solely from the number of membership willing to participate and act.

   One problem has been a lack of vision in how to attract new members. Little done has been done to compel existing members to understand the need to become active and involved in the organizing front. The message to non-union employees has been muddled and muted.

2. Solidarity.

   Infighting between unions and groups must cease, especially publicly. We must seek to be inclusive rather than exclusive. There may be tensions between various classifications at a certain employer or between local, district, and national chapters of unions. Unions within the same classification or employee group also are also frequently in competition. Airline unions for instance are not just organized by craft, they are also subdivided in those crafts by a number of unions.

   Differences between us must never be what defines our movements. Bickering and open war among labor federations only suits the corporate agenda. If members are unhappy with the union it currently has and chooses to seek another union, and this choice made by the workers, then we must honor it and move on.

   On the other hand, competing unions must not seek to influence members within another group and active raiding of membership between competing unions must stop. There are enough non-union employees in every industry to organize.

   Finally, there must always be support for members on a picket line, even if we disagree with the past or present actions of that union. Anytime members are on strike we must all seek to find ways to support that group by whatever means we are able to.

3. Call to Activism and Community Involvement.

   Unions must function as a gateway to involvement, by offering support for groups that effort in charity or advancement of the human society, union halls can serve as rallying points for the collective good. What good are cathedrals of labor if they stand empty every night except once or twice a month when there are meetings?

   We must offer additional outlets for activism to fellow causes whether directly or indirectly related. Red Cross training or donation drives, baseball award dinners or even scout meetings might be examples of this.

   The idea is to attract people into a union hall even if it is explicitly not for a union function. Labor must strive to be a pillar in the community, strive to help people in all aspects of life. The drive to help in charitable causes mirrors our own fight for the little guy, and it serves a greater good. It is important to develop relationships with people and groups in the community in good times, to help earn support from others in bad times.

4. Personal and Political Involvement.

   Members must commit to issue-by-issue political involvement focused on working class issues. Democrat, Republican, or independent we must make the advancement working class issues, values and ideals clear to our elected representatives. The idea is to expand the political muscle of Labor, holding elected officials who betray the interest of working people accountable for their actions.

   Achieving this will require members to be both informed and involved. Paying dues or COPE contributions is not enough.

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   Universal Health Care.

   All Americans should have access to affordable healthcare. Labor must be a leader in the battle for affordable healthcare for everyone. The discussion in this arena has been dominated by Wall Street brokerages, malpractice attorneys, corporate lawyers and insurance companies. This is why the situation has become such a problem. Labor must lobby for the American worker in this arena. The arguments in regard to healthcare and insurance reform must be taken on in manner that can look to involve non-union employees and non-labor groups. More and more working Americans are facing life with reduced or no healthcare coverage and this must change.

6. Defend Retirement Savings.

   Demand stable retirement plans and pension reform. The lottery must never involve less risk than counting on your pension or your 401k; there is serious work to be done in this area. Whenever possible labor groups must seek to build alliances with groups involved in this fight. AARP and other advocacy groups could be natural allies in this arena.

   The idea that working people deserve a safe and fair retirement wage must be continually advanced. Our mission in this arena includes defending social security pensions and increasing the standards of living for retired people.

7. Shareholder Activism.

   We must take the battle from the break room to the boardroom. Many unions own their company's stock in pensions, 401k's, and other related programs. Employee owners and trustees of the members stock should be voting the conscience and interests of the working shareholders.

   Labor groups should make available ideas and teach its members about shareholder activism to encourage shareholder motions in an effort to promote changes and reform in the operation of the company.

   Shareholder activism could act, for instance, to limit golden parachutes and option grants to executives. Even if we fail to win a shareholder vote, the media just might cover our efforts and draw attention to the issues of corporate governance we wish to change.

8. Monitoring corporate responsibility, governance and fraud.

   Speaking out on corporate governance out is critical to the survival of labor as well. Collectively we must be vigilant and on alert for the next potential large corporate catastrophe (remember Enron?) and also speak out on abuses by the company's board, its officers, and executives.
   There have been glaring examples of corporate and executive malfeasance in the meltdown of several large corporations it is our duty to insure that those who violate their fiduciary responsibilities are held accountable. We must also loudly speak out against those who are doing a poor job of running their corporations. When management is doing a poor job it is our membership that will be laid-off or have to take concessions. No one knows the job better than those of us who are actually doing the work.

9. Standing for Honor and Reform

   Unions must stand committed to honorable practices and reform within their own organizations. Inclusion and involvement of the membership in key decisions must always be the goal. Unions by nature are democratic organizations and this principle must never be compromised. Accountability and responsibility for the union’s recourses must be clear to the membership and is a trust that cannot be violated. How we account for the spending of our member’s union dues and utilize our assets must be clear to all and serve the interests of the members.

10. Striving for Performance and Safety.

    Union must never forget they are under consent challenge to be better than other workers in their industry and better than workers from around the world. Union employees must set the highest standard in every industry we are employed. Unions must also be leaders in advancing the ideas of safe workplaces. No one knows our workplace better than us.

    The ideas listed have only scratched the surface on each issue; of course every concept will have to be developed further. What are the true commandments of labor? Every employee, union member and organization must decide what core principles will guide their own involvement. But we can turn the tide against the labor movement by focusing on our common goals and reasserting our vision to the public, our members, and our leaders.

Mike Ramsdell is a founding member of Airline Workers United, a cross-union, cross-worker airline workers group organizing to turn ideas like this into reality. Comments can be sent to

. For more information on Airline Workers United email:

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