There's a direct relationship between the ballot box and the bread box, and what the union fights for and wins at the bargaining table can be taken away in the legislative halls.
Walter ReutherRead
Labor is not fighting for a larger slice of the national pie-labor is fighting for a larger pie.
Interpretation
What this quote means
Labor advocates for the creation of more opportunities rather than just a bigger share of existing ones.
This quote emphasizes that the role of labor is not merely to negotiate for a larger portion of the wealth that already exists, but rather to strive for an expansion of the overall economy and opportunities available. It highlights the importance of growth and development in the workforce, advocating for initiatives that increase prosperity for all rather than just redistributing current resources.
Themes
LaborEconomyOpportunityGrowthProsperity
In practice
Example use cases
This quote can be used in a labor union meeting to motivate members to advocate for economic growth.
More from Walter Reuther
All quotes βIf you're not big enough to lose, you're not big enough to win.
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There is no power in the world that can stop the forward march of free men and women when they are joined in the solidarity of human brotherhood.
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