Unions and Politics

By A. Mejia

As we already know Saskatchewan is going to the polls on November 7, 2007.
One must ask the question; should Unions be involved in politics? Well, I believe and certanly hope we all have a clear answer to this question. One might say, “no”, arguing that what really matters is what happens inside the walls of the Union office and being involed in politics will not benefit us as a Union. Yes, if one was to take a narrow path, that is absolutly right to stay within the confines of a very small umbrella of a Union. Some other individual may delve further before answering the above mentioned question; and therefore find the connection between Union involment in the politcal arena. In order to find that connection we must question ourself; who is respossible for electing the government and forming the Unions? If one looks a little closer, one will find that people are the government and also people form the Unions. Unions form, collectively, what is know as the labour movement. Essentially, this labour movement is formed by people whose only power they have, to make a living, is their labour power, because what they might own in terms of investements or property is not enough to generate an income to live off of. In other words, if you rely on working for other people or organizations to make a living, then you are part of this labour movement.
This labour force has formed a movement in years past, a movement that has been involved in politics to elect labour friendly goverments. These labour friendly goverments are respossible for changes to legislations that benefit the working people i.e OH& S organizations, Labour Standars etc. In contrast, the legislations that have been passed to help the business or corporations, have been achieved by corporatist governments that only have in mind the “bottom line” for business i.e lower business taxes, lower minimum wages, no benefits to workers, etc.
In a democracy we are free to vote in a government of our choice. This, sometimes, leads us to choose a government that will work not in our favour. The wrong choice comes when we are bombarded by the corporatist media, making us believe that we are part of the elite circle; making us believe that we are the corporation. You must remember, that if you have been hired you can be fired. If you make a living by selling your labour, then you need a labour friendly government in power.