We need more, not fewer, strikes

“labour creates wealth”,

“the right to strike is a basic freedom that distinguishes us from the slave or bonded labour” and

the progressive principles from socialists and those activists with a class analysis.

These principles not only are returning, but have to predominate over management ideology labour relations.

The US constantly ignores international rights' standards and so international labour rights from the ILO, but is not taken up by Burns. In Australia we agreed to the ILO workers’ rights on the right to strike, but where in reality our FWA breaches such accepted ILO international standards.

Burns argues a labour movement in the US is possible in chapter 8 if we learn lessons.

Chapter 9 is “Where do we go from here?”

“After watching the labour movement—and the strike—wither over the past 30 years, trade unionists today need to answer several big questions if they wish to revitalize unions in this country. How should the labour movement deal with the current system of labour control? How should human labour be treated in relationship to capital? How can workers act as a class to advance their common interests?

What are the best forms of organization to carry on the fight for workers’ rights? And finally, what is the role of the strike?

The answers—or non-answers—to these fundamental questions will shape labour’s future in America.”(p171)

“To point the labour movement in a new direction will require a large group of people willing to challenge the status quo, people who have the ideas, organizational skills and self-confidence to give voice to a workers’ movement capable of transforming America.

This will have to start with the activists in the movement—shop floor militants, progressive union staffers and officers, worker centres’ activists, and friendly academics.