Question

1. What were the advantages and disadvantages of taking a “business union” approach as opposed to advocating a labor political party?

Answer 1

Business unions function to keep workers working, and profits flowing smoothly into the pockets of business owners. Business unions hold that there is such a thing as a fair wage, and work to ensure the best possible deal with management, in terms of pay and pay raises and benefits. Business union jobs (those that are left) still remain better paid than their non-union equivalents -- this reflects the power of collective bargaining, which remains strong, despite enormous setbacks over the decades.

However, business unions pit workers against workers. Business unions, have a distinct hierarchy evident within the union, favoring the older, higher-paid, senior workers over the younger, lower-paid workers. If you're on the lower rungs of this hierarchy, you are cannon fodder in the event of hard negotiations, it will be your job that is sacrificed if push comes to shove, while senior union members will retain their privileges and protections. Business union’s advantages are that they have short term goals, are all about immediate results and member satisfaction. A disadvantage is that the capability to subsidize reforms is limited. They may fail at reaching long term goals and durable benefits for employees.