Speakeasy forum: The Union Showed Up With Spears, Machetes, & Clubs

Two, got it, two unions faced off against one another. Beside representing two ethnic groups in South Africa, they also represented opposing political factions. Mineworkers have been under economic pressure since long before the end of apartheid and are not well paid given the distances many have to travel each day (as much as 3 hours in each direction). The Two unions were contending for dominance in representing the Mine workers. The smaller union was more aggressive, taking the high ground and waving weapons, the ANC connected NUM were surrounding them, also waving weapons. Whether this would have settled itself after a few days of posturing, or would have burnt itself out after a smaller clash resulting in fewer deaths cannot be known, because Police intervention reminiscent of the Sharpesville massacre and other police actions under apartheid intervened with its subsequent death toll.

This is unrepresentative of Union Activity anywhere else in the world. Extrapolating from any action in Africa to issues in the US, such as the position and likely behaviour of Unions here which was inherent in your header is a typical James Denison Baiting Tactic which you just seem to be unable to resist. I have complained time and again that your Headers don't represent the subsequent post or its sources, this is merely another example. While lying and misrepresentation are, as I understand it venial, sins rather than mortal ones, you nonetheless are amassing an enormous pile of issues to explain at the Pearly Gates, and since the Lord will be able to judge not merely what you say, but what is in your heart, I'd suggest that you examine your conscience most carefully regarding your seeming incapacity to let any issue go by without misrepresenting it. Otherwise you'll be rubbing shoulders with Dick Cheney and the whole Neo Con crew down by the Great Bonfire. Then again, maybe that appeals to you.

Rob

working conditions that killed the employees, like the 1800 coal mines.

Employers never took shortcuts risking employees lifes for more profit.

Company stores never were set up to be sure the employee always spent all their money with no chance to pay out and save.

Not every union, not even every union strike is a group of violent men like the stereotype of the Molly Maguires.

Union actions do have an unfortunate risk of mob mentality affecting those that don't take much encouragement. That doesn't mean that's the main attribute of a union. Conflicts such as this take place because everyone is expecting it from the other side and they all want to be prepared to defend themselves.

The lack of respect on employee and employer side just feeds on itself in a almost impossible circle to break. Your view seems to be the employer has all the rights and a right to take as much as he can. The extreme opposite view is the one you attribute to all workers, the view that they are the ones that should get the most. Never view is worth a damn.

I can't fault the police from opening fire when people carrying any type of weapon charged them. I wish they had been prepared to try something else first, but once the charge started they have to defend themselves.

sometimes you can.

Nowadays it's a bit easier to find jobs at a distance, but in the past a man was limited in how far he could look for work.

And it's not free to move either, no matter if some ignore that fact.

Face it James, you don't think a worker has any rights outside of selling labor at whatever someone will deign to allow.

to hire younger at cheaper wages for the same work, you think that's fair too?

Just one of the practices often carried out in the past by businesses, to cut pay and health insurance costs.

Maybe we should go to a national insurance and do away with employer insurance, that would be better for businesses wouldn't it?

Who are you quoting? Yourself? Sure weren't quoting me.

Give it up Roger, there's no way you can justify a mob showing up armed with weapons with threats of violence and expect anyone to accept that as "another day at the office", and now I'm quoting YOU.