Letters to LIFE

Starting Community Unions
by Sharon Lee Robertson - April- 2007
Australia

Dear LIFE - received your email about [Guy Standing speaking in Vancouver]. Obviously, I cannot attend but I wonder if you might give Mr Standing a copy of this email - which could carry some meaning to him given that in a previous life he was a key person in the international labour organization.  

Many years ago I had the thought that a political movement based on 'labour interests' alone might have some problems. However, a paradigm shift that used that value base might be encouraged such that instead of the traditional base of 'the worker' in the labour sense, the organisation might be renamed and reorganised as "Community Unions", having as a membership (and service base) all resident citizens within a geographical 'nation'.  

The primary 'issues' might centre on 'services' like access to medical facilities, transport, housing, childcare, etc.   All those conditions shaping our lives such as those addressed by the LIFE agenda. Instead of the traditional foci of the Labour Movement which are wages and conditions of the 'working person' where the 'worker's' power is, basically, the withdrawal of their labour - well, that has already morphed into the withdrawl of political support for a particular party or individual - pretty weird, actually - gov'ts themselves are under threat from 'capital' forces - and is perhaps already diminished in 'power' relative to multinational economic interests.

The Labour movement has a long history of direct 'social action', and lots of union trained 'intellectual' capital and resources, ie organizational 'social capital' (know-how and infrastructure) - even, perhaps, a bit of capital...?   A shame to see it going down the drain.  

Here in Australia, it is being pushed down the drain by the current (Howard) administration - strikes are now 'illegal', with those participating personally 'fined' for their participation-   and with the introduction of the 'workplace agreements' rules, many of the historical protections of wages/conditions have been eroded.  

The federal election due here around October of this year bodes the end of the Howard/liberal administration with the ALP once more regaining power under the leadership of Mr Rudd - altogether a more 'humanist' type - and the WorkPlace Agreements might well be modified in the interests of 'workers' - but a "Community Union" movement would be very useful.  

For instance, house prices have risen so high here that even if one can purchase a house, with every interest rate rise, forclosures will increase AND the low-income Housing Trust properties are being sold off and the proceeds going into the Current Accounts - which means that the housing available for those unable to buy or losing their homes and likewise unable to find rental accommodation (the cost and availability of which has also reduced the 'housing' available for those with low incomes)- well, economic growth would appear to benefit those with lots of money already!   For the rest of us...anyway - a 'Community Union', with 'local distribution' (equal to Union representation at every place of employment...) - well, ?interesting potential?

Seasons change here - cooler weather beginning to arrive.   Even rain - 2.5in last week.   Summer/heat something that I can no longer 'handle'- wobbly on my feet, dizzy in my head and energy - out the window!   ...Keep me on your address list however - can't DO much at this point - BUT still have an 'interest' in LIFE!

Cheers - Sharon Robertson

Email Sharon Lee Robertson or write to her PO Box 36, Koolunga SA 5464, Australia.

See Sharon's first letter about her idea for a book and website: FailSafe Humanity, in letter #2. or Letter #3 See also her letter #4 letter #5 and letter #6.