Vote No: UPS Struggle and Marxist Labor Organizing
Aug 22, 2023
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Discussion on the exploitation and struggle of UPS workers, the sell-out contract and the role of corrupt Teamster leadership. The US capitalist class' efforts against China and the need for labor movement comprehension. Dissatisfaction with contracts, division among workers, and the negative impact on part-time workers. The difference between European and American trade unions. Importance of Marxist intervention and class consciousness. Critique of Kim Moody's strategy and the importance of ideological struggle within socialist organizations. Perspectives on revolution and communism in the US.
The tentative agreement between UPS and the Teamsters includes concessions that divide drivers and maintain a tier system.
The leadership of the International Brotherhood of Teamsters is aligned with the capitalist class and has betrayed the interests of UPS workers.
Different socialist organizations have made errors in their approach to the UPS Teamsters fight, either advocating for isolation or failing to take a clear stance.
Marxists should actively participate in the labor movement, challenge reactionary leaders, build coalitions with progressive labor leaders, and strive for class consciousness and revolution.
Deep dives
Concessions in the Contract
The tentative agreement between UPS and the Teamsters includes several concessions that undermine the interests of UPS workers. One example is the removal of the 25% cap on Tuesday through Saturday schedules for drivers, which creates a division between drivers and maintains a tier system. Additionally, the contract introduces a second tier for part-time workers, resulting in lower raises compared to existing part-timers. The contract also allows for seven-day operations and reduces pension contributions, among other concessions.
Alignment with Capitalist Class
The leadership of the International Brotherhood of Teamsters (IBT), including Sean O'Brien, is aligned with the capitalist class and has betrayed the interests of UPS workers. O'Brien has made statements promoting the harmony between labor and capital and praising the capitalist system. The close ties between UPS and other corporations, as well as the support of politicians like Biden and Pelosi, further reinforce the alignment of IBT leadership with the ruling capitalist class. This alignment plays a role in averting a strike and suppressing class struggle within the labor movement.
Errors of Right Opportunism and Left Sectarianism
Various socialist organizations have taken different errors in relation to the UPS Teamsters fight. Some groups, like WSWS and the Gonzalezists, advocate for the dissolution of existing unions and the creation of separate unions, resulting in isolation from the broader working class. They refuse to work with progressive labor leaders and dismiss the importance of workplace struggles. On the other hand, the DSA adopts a wait-and-see approach, failing to take a clear stance and deferring to the rank-and-file vote. These errors neglect Lenin's principle of working within existing unions to push for real struggle and build alliances with progressive labor leaders, while also critiquing reactionary leadership.
The Marxist Approach in the Labor Movement
Marxists should actively participate in the labor movement and work within existing unions to elevate workers' struggles and push for revolutionary goals. This involves engaging with and challenging the reactionary leaders, while building coalitions with progressive labor leaders. It is crucial to understand the contradictions within the working class and the diverse interests within the labor movement. Marxists should not alienate themselves from the broader working class or dismiss the importance of workplace struggles. Instead, they should strive to unite workers in their common interests and lead the labor movement towards class consciousness and revolution.
The Importance of Marxist Consciousness and Organizing
Marxism emphasizes the need for workers to develop a genuine class consciousness, which goes beyond simple class instinct. Lenin's 'What Is To Be Done' stresses the importance of Marxist education and deep understanding of society, its classes, and the role of the proletariat. Spontaneous class struggle is insufficient and can be co-opted by bourgeois ideology, as seen in the trade unionism of the masses. Despite this, some socialists advocate for a watered-down politics focused on trade union struggle and reforms. However, true revolutionary Marxist consciousness requires a scientific understanding of the entire class society and the necessity of socialist revolution. Marxist organizers should educate and lead the working class, exposing the inherent contradictions of capitalism and advocating for a revolutionary class struggle.
The Error of Rejecting Revolutionary Class Consciousness
The International Socialists' leader, Kim Moody, rejected the need for genuine revolutionary class consciousness and emphasized the importance of trade union struggle and reforms. This deviates from Lenin's teachings and distorts the role of Marxists in mass organizations. Moody's rank-and-file strategy promotes watered-down politics and union democracy, subordinating revolutionary theory to trade unionism. The rejection of Lenin's lessons from 'What Is To Be Done' weakens Marxist analysis and hinders the political development of organizations like the Teamsters for a Democratic Union (TDU). Rejecting the need for a vanguard party and a clear Marxist line diminishes the potential for revolutionary change.
The Necessity of Line Struggle and Marxist Unity
Criticism and ideological struggle are essential parts of Marxism. They help identify correct lines of action and challenge revisionism within the revolutionary movement. Marxist theory is a science that requires sharp debate and discussion to distinguish between correct and incorrect lines. The struggle for revolution cannot rely on guesswork or personal opinions. It demands a commitment to Marxist theory and a fearless willingness to debate and study revolutionary history. Line struggle and the demarcation of correct Marxist principles are crucial in expanding the vanguard and promoting class consciousness. Building a united organization and a true Communist Party is necessary to lead the working class in the fight to end capitalism and establish a classless communist society.
