General Strike Called to Support Illegal Immigrants

[paul_fromatlanta]

http://jcb.pentex-net.com/archives/2006/04/general_strike.html

[paul_fromatlanta]

1. The last time they did this it didn't have much impact

I really dont think it helps their cause... A one day strike doesn't cause disruption here except in fast food and landscaping so there is no real cost.

[5X]

3. Just you watch. n/t

[HereSince1628]

2. Well, let them try. The US doesn't really do general strikes.

I can't think of a single time in my 50+ years of memory when there was a successful general strike.

There is a risk you know. It might just convince them illegal immigrants do have the power to raise their wages. That would scare the shit out of employers and surely create a precedent for thinking that illegal immigrants are maybe not such good investments afterall. Uppity illegal immigrants disrupting society might be just what Homeland Security needs to get Halliburton to actually build the prison camps in their contract.

Personally, I'd rather not test the will of the America's version of the Nazi SA.

[paul_fromatlanta]

4. Successful agricultural strikes have all been extended

How long did the lettice strike go? More than a year I think and that was before cheap imports were so readily available.

[HereSince1628]

7. As a child I didn't get to eat white (thompson) grapes. Until I was 18

I don't think I ate one that wasn't in a can of fruit cocktail at school.

My father was a union steward for the Municipal Employees union. My brother was a union steward for the Air Traffic Controllers union, yes the one killed by Reagan.

Although ag workers had support from union advocates, like my father, it had very little impact as a "general strike."

Americans just don't do general strikes. It's one of the great cushions the capitalists take advantage of. American labor will protect only itself and it doesn't reach more than an inch beyond that.

Consider that the air traffic control strike wasn't even honored by the teamsters (think delivering aviation fuel), pilots, flight attendants, airline mechanics, or anyone else. The lesson I learned is if you strike your organization strikes on its own.

If illegals want to strike in all of their jobs. I say go ahead, but, it risks bringing about more animosity than support because it invokes an action that is outside the reality of American-borne workers. I have concerns that the cultural transfer will be worse than ineffective. It may well disaffeect US citizens from the cause.

[paul_fromatlanta]

10. There are already claims from both sides this is about sovereignty

I don't buy it but it has some traction....

[HereSince1628]

11. I'm not talking about sovereignty, rather the limits of US cultural norms

We get supporting people treated unfairly, we get supporting the underdog.

But because of the way our culture developed general strikes don't happen here. You aren't going to get every union in the country or even a majority of them to not show up at work.

It isn't part of our behavioral repertoire. Whatever it is that makes such things possible and even common in France, Italy and other parts of Europe we don't have it.

[Just Me]

14. Well, we did, kinda', a century ago.

But, you are right that we have "generally" been pacified, economically pacified into finding great satisfaction with every small battle. On the other hand, ya' gotta' admit, those small (and quite painful, bloody and disabling battles) literally rippled across the earth. And, LOL, scared the SHIT out of those who had adopted the habit of exploitation.

Frankly, when I look upon my world (I call it "mine" because I am a member of it) and witness so freakin' many non-violent stands by humanity,...I feel not merely proud, but,...strong,...somehow, strong or stronger by virtue of all those members of my race, the human race, taking a stand for not only themselves but also,....me.

I am amazed at what I have witnessed. Historians MUST be documenting this incredible global phenomenon or they suck.

[AzDar]

5. Is that a photo of Cesar Chavez? Didn't he speak out AGAINST

'undocumented' (illegal) immigrants...??

[Xithras]

13. Yes, Caesar Chavez was very much againt illegal immigration.

Chavez opposed illegal immigration because he wanted to unionize all farmworkers under the UFW to improve both wages and working conditions. He realized that he could never do that while illegals were driving down the wage structure and replacing UFW workers when they held strikes. He routinely contacted the INS to round up and deport illegal immigrant farmworkers, and on one occasion lead a protest to the US/Mexico border to try and block illegal immigrants from crossing. Another UFW protest in the 1970's ended with illegals actually being beaten as they tried to cross the border.

The irony of including him in that picture is almost unbearable. He would be furious to see his image and name being used that way.

[lovuian]

6. Power to the people!!! if they strike tomoorow wouldn't bother

me... I don't hire ilegal immigrants...I clean my own house I mow my own lawn I cook for myself and I watch my own kids

My house is built already

if it takes longer to get my fast food well I eat home that night

How will it effect me and millions of hardworking Americans not one iota

Who this will hurt is the corporations and companies who employ these poor people for substandard wages... and I say GO FOR IT... wave your Mexican flags and cheer loudly ... and let coporations know that you guys are WANTING MORE... and when you get citizenship you are organized and ready to strike and WANT HIGHER WAGES...

I love you guys and proud of ya... wreak havoc on the corporations and bring those of them hiring ilegal immigrants losses of great amounts serve them right....

[Just Me]

8. EWWWW!!! Now, the corporate-abusers are rrreeaaallly gonna,...

,...pressure BushCO.

So interesting how the corporate abuse is coming to a head. It's hilarious!!! :rofl:

[MrMonk]

9. "12 million undocumented immigrants"

That's more than 4% of the population.

I like math.

[-..__...]

12. They should have used a different color for the flyer.

Or, at least substituted a different picture for the person on the left and right.