We’re back to bright sunshine, but the edges and the tops of the trees are turning color, green fading to yellow, green giving way to scarlet red. Fall is coming and winter is never far behind.
This morning, dockworkers went on strike, “seeking better pay and job security,” according to CBS. But if you look at the articles in general, the slant they take implies, through greed, these union employees are willing to disrupt trade and raise prices.
I’ve got some news for you.
They’re not the ones willing to disrupt trade and raise prices. Their employers just want you to blame them for the punitive actions they will take so that they don’t have to pay dockworkers their fair share.
Take, for example, the framing from Barron’s with this headline: “Many Dockworkers Make $150,000 or More. Why They’re Going on Strike.”
Don’t bother clicking the link, the story is a behind a paywall, as Barron’s isn’t going to miss out on any of its own paid value.
A quick search shows that “average” pay runs from $16.59/hr ($34,500/yr roughly) to $34/hr ($70,720/yr roughly). Even at that top bracket, that’s half of what Barron’s suggests striking workers earn. Without PAYING BARRON’S, it’s impossible to know how they arrive at their income of “many” dockworkers, or even how many “many” are, but my best guess would include overtime.
About what you’d expect from a publication that calls itself “Barron’s.”
It’s incredible how striking workers are always framed as the villains, greedy, demanding, irresponsible, careless in their duties, whatever the field.
And so little attention is paid to the employers who could avert strikes by negotiating in good faith. And the nebulous part is who, exactly, those employers are.
On that side of the table is the United States Marine Alliance (USMX) described in its own words: “USMX is an alliance of container carriers, direct employers, and port associations serving the East and Gulf Coasts of the U.S”
I don’t know about you, but that cleared it right up for me. On the site, they have a list of members, a string of bland names you’ve probably never heard of before.
And here’s why we have such a disparity. We can see the workers. We can see them striking. But we can’t see these amorphous employers, who actually hold all the cards.
So while it’s tempting for many to think people should be glad to simply be employed, that is thinking pushed by employers who want the most for the least, while raking in enormous profits, especially these days.
I stand with the International Longshoremen’s Association (ILA) and workers who stand up for themselves to get what they deserve in a world increasingly hostile to the merits of individuals. In an election year where Democrats stand with the unions and republicans stand to break them.
In an election year where donald said out loud he hated paying overtime and would bring in other workers.
In an election year where Project 2025 would eliminate overtime.
I hope the strike is swift and effective. Have a great Tuesday.
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