| Description: | Original article, Shell tanker drivers strike - oil on troubled waters from the column Union Made by Richard Allday via socialistreview.org.uk:
"The Shell drivers have driven a coach and horses through the Brown and Darling pay freeze," said Tony Woodley, joint general secretary of Unite, after the Shell tanker drivers won a 14 percent pay deal last month.
There was a strike by Shell tanker drivers in England. It was successful! Now, mind you, it wasnt backed by the Labour government (New Labour - ptewee!). It was a union of the drivers who won the strike, with solidarity from other union fronts!
A host of commentators explained how it was inevitable they would win: "exceptional case... small group... concentration of power... strategic weak spot... essential resource..." Essential bollocks! No one claimed inevitable victory before the strike (or it wouldnt have happened, would it?)
Why should we pay attention to a strike in England? Because their government has adopted policies much in line with ours. They have chosen globalization and cash over the needs of the people, much the same as our two major parties have. And whats more, the strikers won and the oil barons caved!
And heres the biggest lesson to learn:
The point is that the Shell drivers fought. They got great solidarity from their fellow tanker drivers from other companies who, in defiance of anti trade union laws, refused to cross picket lines. When the employers tried to use the law, they realised that for once the union was not going to back down.
Damn those workers! They fought and won! It is clear that the US isnt going to change its economic situation no matter who becomes President in 09 (Obamas a Chicago Schooler who loves him some markets). Its clear that the leadership in Congress has no stomach for fighting for workers rights. The lesson is that change wont come from above, its instituted by standing together and fighting the corps no matter what comes.
The oil trade sector emergency conference called by Unite in London to organise solidarity for the Shell drivers turned into a celebration of their victory. Unite officials made it clear that despite some writs being served against drivers this was a battle they were determined to win.
When was the last major celebration of victory for workersw here in the US? Isnt it time that we start seeing some?
One thing that sent the oil barons a message was when the stewards from Grangemouth booked flights to London for the meeting - they and other stewards right across the industry were offering solidarity action, whether or not the employers thought it lawful. The bosses got the message: the union was not going to blink. They caved in. Emphasis is mine.
Solidarity was achieved, and the bosses caved. Its a lesson for all of us to learn, even Congress!
They are petrified by the implications. On the back of the Shell tanker drivers victory, Unison officials have said they want to reopen negotiations on their pay deal in the health service next year if inflation keeps going up - everything is up for grabs.
One Unions victory can help to lead the way for other Unions to fight similar fights. One major victory in Congress (say on impeachment) may actually give the Congresscritters backbone! Solidarity is a key.
The case is becoming incontrovertible. There is a massive anger growing from the grassroots of the union movement. Tony Woodley said this was the biggest political fight the union has been involved in since Rover in 2000; the GMB union cut funding to 35 Labour MPs; and the CWU intend to ballot the membership on funding the Labour Party. All these suggest a tectonic shift in the political consciousness of our class. The battle is now on to provide a real political alternative.
Backing a political party simply because they have the right letter next to their candidates name led to New Labour. Its led to our spineless Democratic Congress. Its allowed the monied interests to increase their stranglehold on our national economy. Isnt it time to look at the alternatives available here in the US, or to create an alternative on our own?
Everybody loves a winner, so I guess tanker drivers are going to be the flavour of the month. Lets just hope that the lessons are learnt by every hospital domestic, refuse collector, office cleaner and civil service worker. This is not a special case argument. This is not an argument about an "aristocracy of labour". This is a good old-fashioned class battle - and the bosses lost. That is the significance of the tanker drivers dispute. Roll on the trucking fightback.
Amen to that! Lets learn some of the lessons ourselves! |
