NationStates Jolt Archive


A Better, Saner Labor Union Proposal

26-11-2003, 02:46
We declare that all governed have vested in their democratic governments certain mandates, among which the most fundamental mandates include the upkeep of law and order and the right of the governed to be protected from fraud and foreign or domestic enemies. We hold that as powerful institutions, labor unions are vulnerable to inflitration and control by certain movements that would act contrary to the rights of its members, the rights of the industry which employs them, and against the government which both industry and worker are a part of. Such movements include, but are not limited to: Syndicalists, a radical political movement that advocates bringing industry and government under the control of federations of labor unions by the use of violent direct action, such as political, national strikes and sabotage, the mafia, and certain international factions which would act contrary to the national interests of countries whose labor unions are international members.

Purpose:

The purpose of this resolution is to reaffirm the basic rights of the governed by aligning labor unions with their
intended mission of labor representation.

1.) This resolution would prohibit labor unions from engaging in subversive direct actions such as sabotage, workplace occupation, lock outs, and obstruction of non-union workers to be employed by the company.

A.) Unions may not operate closed shops, or coerce non union members to join their unions.

B.)Unions may not coerce employers to solely employ union members.

2.) Labor monopolies are inherently counterproductive and undemocratic institutions.

A.) Labor unions may not engage in monopolistic practices such as wage inflation, use of the organization to force employers to pass outrageous, economically unfeasible benefits, or organize labor cartels to artificially inflate cost of employment.

3.) Business does not exist to provide a living for those it employs. Entrepreneurship is not a social program. It is the driving force that allows for all freedom loving nations to prosper and must be preserved.

A.) The place for unions is within the work place only.

B.) It is the job of the union without the use of force, to form a contract that is benefitial to both employer and employee.

C.)Both parties must appoint unbiased mediators to resolve contract disputes.

4.) Labor Unions may not belong to international federations, confederations, or cartels which are under direct control of unitary leadership; such power should never be entrusted to a small few that share but one agenda that may or may not be in the best interest of the nation as a whole, but of foreign enemies whose agenda could use labor as a weapon.


A.) Labor Unions cannot engage in excessive restriction of trade such as: indefinite national strikes during national emergencies, or strikes that would cause undue oppression to the freedom of others to engage in peaceful trade, and strikes which would cripple the economy and endanger the welfare of the nation as a whole. This provision does not outlaw strikes outright.

5.) Labor Unions must remain non partisan organizations.

A.)Labor union leaders may not run for public office and at the same time hold leadership or any position in a labor union.

B.) Labor unions may not use member dues for political reasons.



(Hopefully this amendment will be added to the resolution just passed)
26-11-2003, 03:12
No one has an opinion eh?
26-11-2003, 05:25
No one has an opinion eh?


I'll just keep propping it up.
Dendrys
26-11-2003, 05:31
OOC: Could you throw something in there about unions needing to be accountable to their members by having bylaws, public accounting, and open elections?

Also -- how about a bit stating that whenever a new national law to repair discrimination, fraud, etc. is enacted and applied to all corporations and non-profit organisations, unions must comply as well?

But hey, this is really good stuff. Cheers. Cheers and accolades. I didn't have the time or the guts to try to do this. :oops:
26-11-2003, 05:34
OOC: Could you throw something in there about unions needing to be accountable to their members by having bylaws, public accounting, and open elections?

Also -- how about a bit stating that whenever a new national law to repair discrimination, fraud, etc. is enacted and applied to all corporations and non-profit organisations, unions must comply as well?

But hey, this is really good stuff. Cheers. Cheers and accolades. I didn't have the time or the guts to try to do this. :oops:

Thanks, but I think what you said is implied in the legislation. I'll try to fix it.
26-11-2003, 05:35
I think that this proposal, if enacted would make me feel much better about the recently enacted Labor Unions proposal. If it makes it to a general vote, I will vote for it, and do what I can to raise support.
Dendrys
26-11-2003, 05:39
As I'm reviewing... I think your statement about the purpose of business and unions is probably going to alienate a lot of people, and I'm not sure it's necessary. While capitalists in general will probably agree with you, everyone else will raise a stink... but I think your b) and c) in that paragraph are indispensable. Unions exist to aid workers in seeking fair employment arrangements, and the unbiased mediation point is crucial. So... talk to me. Could you be convinced to limit the provisions of that paragraph to b) and c)? Simply for the purpose of getting this passed?
26-11-2003, 05:47
As I'm reviewing... I think your statement about the purpose of business and unions is probably going to alienate a lot of people, and I'm not sure it's necessary.

Which number are you referring too?


While capitalists in general will probably agree with you, everyone else will raise a stink... but I think your b) and c) in that paragraph are indispensable. Unions exist to aid workers in seeking fair employment arrangements, and the unbiased mediation point is crucial. So... talk to me. Could you be convinced to limit the provisions of that paragraph to b) and c)? Simply for the purpose of getting this passed?


I guess I could. I will see what others have to say and I will finalize the resolution as best as I can after all the input is completed. I dont think that it would raise that much of a stinker as I think what I proposed is common sense. So far I have both socialist delegates and capitalistic delegates supporting my proposal. But I'll leave it open.
Dendrys
26-11-2003, 05:54
Sorry:

3.) Business does not exist to provide a living for those it employs. Entrepreneurship is not a social program. It is the driving force that allows for all freedom loving nations to prosper and must be preserved.

A.) The place for unions is within the work place only.

B.) It is the job of the union without the use of force, to form a contract that is benefitial to both employer and employee.

C.)Both parties must appoint unbiased mediators to resolve contract disputes.

I do think that the statements in p.3 there, while they seem quite common sense to me as well, are likely to raise hackles with the likes of the folks here who make a practise of obfuscating the point in a haze of rhetoric while making it sound like not agreeing with them is inhumane, insane, incompetent, or whatever. :roll: As for A -- that might actually be problematic, as people will say that means you're denying unions the right to assemble where they choose. I am pretty sure you meant that unions' actions should only apply within the workplace, but maybe that just needs to be clarified?

I'm getting sleepy, so I'll hunt this up tomorrow and work on it more then, but *high five* well done, mate.
28-11-2003, 23:35
i'll keep propping this up