This isn’t so much an opinion piece (well, to the degree that a stubborn, opinionated S.O.B. like me can write such a thing) but more an observation and articulation of some questions which stem from it.
A recent piece written by odum about a pending Bill which would allow some 10,000 early educators across Vermont the right to unionize and negotiate with the state (and some high-profile support for it) has, as of this writing, spurred zero comments or discussion whatsoever.
At the same time, another piece by odum, posted about 20 hours later, which is a completely non-political, personal ‘congratulations’ to some friends following the birth of their first child, has 2 comments.
Now, I’m not looking to take away from the latter- odum, as founder and publisher is perfectly within his right to use this forum for personal messages and the birth of a child is surely momentous enough to spur complete strangers to chime in on the ‘congrats’; but I’m curious about the lack of interest among GMD readers in the former.
Are GMD readers silent on this post because there’s no interest in labor issues? because the readership is universally supportive or excited and there’s nothing else to say?
My personal observation is that posts on GMD about labor issues tend to garner a very low level of conversation and debate. Why? Do readers of GMD have no opinions on the early educators efforts? of the high-profile support they’ve earned? Do people perceive the issue has no relevance on their own lives, and so don’t have much of an opinion? What of the various concern trolls that hang around?
Uhh… you didn’t comment on that diary either, dude.
It’s just the way it works sometimes. I’ve learned from looking at site traffic, that comments are not necessarily a gauge of what’s being read. It is what it is… but honestly, it never works to knuckle-rap an online community for what they are and aren’t commenting on, as there are no hard-and-fast rules as to why that happens (or doesn’t happen).
I think that’s part of it. I also think that Democrats in recent years have unfortunately ceded a lot of the labor stuff to the more radical activists. I know that some may find that a hasty generalization, but it’s just something I’ve noticed for quite some time. This is indisputable at the national level.
It would be interesting (and difficult) to find out how many GMD readers belong to a union.
…not just here, but in the whole country, about justice issues–economic and social. Hear it? Listen.
Unions make the prices go up, Wes. Ain’t no unions in China/India. But we want better working conditions and wages for those folks over there. Or do we?
It’s always the cart before the horse now–PEACE (for us). At any price. And we work on that ‘silently’ too.
Our horse is overloaded with injustices, and our cart is empty. If we worked on labor issues, etc. here, we could probably go a long way in approaching a state where the American people would feel empowered to take on the Capitalist Monster. The Monster that causes wars.
The Vt. Workers’ Center just announced that UE Local 255 won its case to have A Hunger Mt. Co-op employee reinstated after being wrongfully fired. That’s the kind of stuff that doesn’t make a big splash in the MSM. It goes on, but the well-off Co-op shopper buys $500.00 worth of ‘quality’ food, throws out about $100.00 in veggies and fruits, and then goes out to vigil about war, without even knowing about any ‘labor’ issue at the Co-op. Hey, right in your own backyard, (What backyard?)
Economic and social injustice are the overseers of war. They ain’t dropping bombs from drones on us yet, but someday the Boys In The Boardroom will think that’s a good way to diffuse dissent. We’ve got to get ahead on this before it’s too late. Good for you for bringing up this quandary. Now, lower the prices on your beer.
I would appreciate more attention to labor issues here in both posts and comments. Labor has been marginalized nationally with very few labor reporters remaining at major newspapers; therefore little coverage of labor issues. While Vermont doesn’t seem to be at risk right now for a Wisconsin-style effort to strip public employees of their collective bargaining rights, I’m sure it didn’t seem like a direct threat to Wisconsin Democrats a few years ago either. I read all labor coverage on this site; I just don’t always comment on it.
This very topic was discussed at yesterday’s State House labor caucus. One Dem said that she hears often from other Democratic colleagues that the face of organized labor is invisible in the halls of Montpelier – when, in reality, the unions have spent an awful lot of time in the State House and at party functions trying to constructively increase their profiles. Unfortunately and with ALL due respect, important issues surrounding the Vermont NEA and the VSEA get a lot more play in the media than issues impacting private sector unions do (this comment is in no way intended as a slight towards NEA and VSEA).
Here’s another recent post about a labor issue that got only one comment (from me):
http://www.greenmountaindaily….
Read all about five Burlington Democrats sticking it to working people (two Ds – Ed Adrian and David Berezniak – did the right thing, however). Apparently, these leaders are content with buying their fair trade chocolate while having no desire to create community workforce standards for local workers – their neighbors – on public construction projects. It’s a shame. And not a mention from the Burlington Free Press, despite a reporter being there for all of it.