Dockworkers at ports from Maine to Texas go on strike

Re:Dockworkers at ports from Maine to Texas go on strike by cloverich on Tuesday October 01, 2024 @02:30PM (#41712279)

I in general view unions as a net negative, but think UBI is a great ideal to strive towards. IMO they arent remotely the same thing? One protects a narrow set of jobs and salary at seemingly any cost, the other is about wealth (re)distribution.

[ Parent | on HN ]

Re:Dockworkers at ports from Maine to Texas go on strike by Uehreka on Tuesday October 01, 2024 @03:05PM (#41712796)

I’m glad you’re in favor of UBI, but the number of people in the “dislikes unions, likes UBI” camp is extremely tiny (though likely massively over represented on HN).

It’s true that if UBI was really on the table, this conversation could go in much more interesting directions. Unfortunately right now it’s nowhere near politically viable (at least in America, where these strikes are happening) which makes it a non-solution to the immediate problems facing workers.

[ Parent | on HN ]

Re:Dockworkers at ports from Maine to Texas go on strike by ImPostingOnHN on Wednesday October 02, 2024 @09:28AM (#41720421)

Count me as another who views these demands by the union as counterproductive, while supporting UBI at the same time. I submit that we're under-represented on HN, canceling out the opinion that we're over-represented

I think your guess about the overlap between UBI supporters and supporters of these union demands is way off base, and is serving to distract from the substance of the matter.

The unions should be advocating for fair pay for employed union members, but not for unlimited jobs forever. If anything, the union has money and can provide a salary to laid-off employees.

Alternatively, maybe unions should be advocating for UBI and advocating for their members to do the same, and to vote for the politicians more likely to support UBI.

[ Parent | on HN ]