Unions would do that if more people who cared about it joined unions and pushed for it. Unions only work if you’re actively doing stuff in them. It’s democracy, it only works so long as you partake.
OK, let’s say I’m disabled and I wanna partake in said democracy. I show up to the union meeting and everyone is unmasked, there’s no air filtration or ventilation. am I just supposed to put myself at risk of infection until the union members get their shit together? that might take months to years during which I can’t afford to be repeatedly reinfected.
this is not hypothetical, I’ve been part of multiple leftist spaces where my only options are to leave or to put myself at risk of harassment when I hand everyone N95s because I’m being “pushy”.
Mm. You’re describing someone very dear to me, because of whom I wear an n95 mask every day.
People you describe fight an uphill battle, and I don’t see that changing anytime soon. They can ask for accommodations, but a lot of people won’t meet them. Meetings can be held digitally, of course, and one can advocate for oneself digitally as well. In time they can hope to win allies, and with them also get advocates that are willing to help amplify their voice.
I’m sorry, but I don’t have any good solutions. The world is neither kind or fair, the best we can hope for is to build communities with people that empathise and see us.
I’m also glad you reached the point I wanted to make, that people like me become extremely cynical when unions are brought up as a solution because even with digital access we’re still seen as second class members. they’re not gonna invest as many resources in the digital meetings because there’s no incentive to
I think it’d be hard not to get cynical when in such a situation. It’s why it’s so important to amplify the voices of marginalised people and bring them into the fold, they have needs as a society we need to see to them. It really shouldn’t be that hard. Unfortunately a lot of people don’t realise that being healthy and able-bodied is a temporary state, and at some point or other we’re all going to need some form of support.
I agree. Regular unions arent my personal favorite either.
But that is why you can choose where to go and which union to join.
Try and join a base democratic union and watch your decisions be the only things that are done.
Our problem isnt that unions dont do our bidding. It is that we dont support those that do and that is by design. We’re taught from a young age to not express our thoughts and wishes, to stay calm in the face of injustice. Of course people are angry and desperate.
I suggest you read about subversive groups and what is happening around the world in terms of turning these things around.
except most unions aren’t doing shit for covid workplace safety. that doesn’t mean unions are bad, just ignorant
Unions would do that if more people who cared about it joined unions and pushed for it. Unions only work if you’re actively doing stuff in them. It’s democracy, it only works so long as you partake.
OK, let’s say I’m disabled and I wanna partake in said democracy. I show up to the union meeting and everyone is unmasked, there’s no air filtration or ventilation. am I just supposed to put myself at risk of infection until the union members get their shit together? that might take months to years during which I can’t afford to be repeatedly reinfected.
this is not hypothetical, I’ve been part of multiple leftist spaces where my only options are to leave or to put myself at risk of harassment when I hand everyone N95s because I’m being “pushy”.
Mm. You’re describing someone very dear to me, because of whom I wear an n95 mask every day.
People you describe fight an uphill battle, and I don’t see that changing anytime soon. They can ask for accommodations, but a lot of people won’t meet them. Meetings can be held digitally, of course, and one can advocate for oneself digitally as well. In time they can hope to win allies, and with them also get advocates that are willing to help amplify their voice.
I’m sorry, but I don’t have any good solutions. The world is neither kind or fair, the best we can hope for is to build communities with people that empathise and see us.
I wish you the very best.
I’m glad you understand, thanks for the reply.
I’m also glad you reached the point I wanted to make, that people like me become extremely cynical when unions are brought up as a solution because even with digital access we’re still seen as second class members. they’re not gonna invest as many resources in the digital meetings because there’s no incentive to
I think it’d be hard not to get cynical when in such a situation. It’s why it’s so important to amplify the voices of marginalised people and bring them into the fold, they have needs as a society we need to see to them. It really shouldn’t be that hard. Unfortunately a lot of people don’t realise that being healthy and able-bodied is a temporary state, and at some point or other we’re all going to need some form of support.
We all benefit from ensuring it’s there.
I agree. Regular unions arent my personal favorite either.
But that is why you can choose where to go and which union to join.
Try and join a base democratic union and watch your decisions be the only things that are done.
Our problem isnt that unions dont do our bidding. It is that we dont support those that do and that is by design. We’re taught from a young age to not express our thoughts and wishes, to stay calm in the face of injustice. Of course people are angry and desperate.
I suggest you read about subversive groups and what is happening around the world in terms of turning these things around.