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
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.
In practice
This quote can be used in a labor union meeting to motivate members to advocate for economic growth.
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.
If you're not big enough to lose, you're not big enough to win.
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.
Little girls and boys, barefooted, walked up and down between the endless rows of spindles, reaching thin little hands into the machinery to repair snapped threads
Public employees should have the right to bargain for better wages and working conditions, just like all employees do.
Workers do not strike every day, they cannot do that the way they function in the capitalist economy. The way they have to live by selling their labor power makes that impossible.
Why should the railroad employees be parceled out among a score of different organizations? They are all employed in the same service. Their interests are mutual. They ought to be able to act together as one. But they divide according to craft and calling, and if you were to propose today to unite them that they might actually do something to advance their collective and individual interests as workers, you would be opposed by every grand officer of these organizations.
Out of labor's struggle in Arizona came better conditions for the workers, who must everywhere, at all times, under advantage and disadvantage work out their own salvation
Safe working conditions, fair wages, protection from forced labor, and freedom from harassment and discrimination - these must become standard global operating conditions.
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