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Employers' New Weapon
January 24, 2012
Employers Use Lockouts to Win Concessions;
Aim to Destroy or Cripple America’s Unions
AFL-CIO Leaders Fail to Respond to New Corporate Attacks on Workers
By Harry KelberIt used to be that when unions were in a stalemate during their contract negotiations with employers, they could use their “weapon of last resort,” a strike, to fight for an improved agreement.
But in recent years, especially during the economic crisis, the number of strikes has plummeted. In the decade, 1970-1980, there were 269 work stoppages, involving 1,000 or more workers. In contrast, in 2010, there were only 11 strikes (that may even include lockouts), a drop of 90 percent. In 2009, only 5 big strikes took place.
There are ample reasons for the sharp decline in work stoppages. Workers are reluctant to strike because it would mean a loss in pay, especially if the strike might last weeks or months. They are also fearful that if they walked off the job, their employer would hire workers to replace them.
Union leaders are reluctant about calling strikes, because it is too risky. If they lose a strike, they may be ousted from their position in the next union election.
The labor-management landscape changed dramatically when employers re-discovered how lockouts can be used to compel unions to make concessions in wages, benefits and working conditions.
The lockout scenario is simple enough. Employers shut out their workers from the workplace and won’t allow them to return to their jobs unless the union agrees to a series of give-backs. Employers can continue their lockouts indefinitely, with replacements they hire to keep their operations on track, until the union is forced to surrenders to their demands.
The World of Labor January 21, 2012
16 Million Indonesian Workers May Benefit from Changes in Law
A revision of Indonesia’s labor law that paves the way for outsourced workers to have equal benefits with permanent employees is expected to improve the lives of millions of workers. The amended law should also reduce conflicts between laborers and employers in Southeast Asia’s largest economy.
On Jan. 17, the Constitutional Court declared outsourcing unlawful under the country’s Constitution, because it would create uncertainty over the faith and livelihood of the workers. Timbul Stregar, chairman of the Indonesian Workers Association (OPSI), said the revision of the law was a victory for 16 million outsourced workers, or roughly 40 percent of the country’s formal labor force of 41 million.
“The contract system will remain only if it is improved with benefits, such as overtime bonuses and severance pay,” Timbul said. The unions had been fighting in the courts for an improved law since 2003. The court’s ruling stated that Indonesian workers had “the right to a decent job and a decent life,” which should be the basis of the country’s labor law.
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