Work Reform

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A place to discuss positive changes that can make work more equitable, and to vent about current practices. We are NOT against work; we just want the fruits of our labor to be recognized better.

Our Philosophies:

All workers must be paid a living wage for their labor.
Income inequality is the main cause of lower living standards.
Workers must join together and fight back for what is rightfully theirs.
We must not be divided and conquered. Workers gain the most when they focus on unifying issues.

Our Goals

Higher wages for underpaid workers.
Better worker representation, including but not limited to unions.
Better and fewer working hours.
Stimulating a massive wave of worker organizing in the United States and beyond.
Organizing and supporting political causes and campaigns that put workers first.

founded 1 year ago

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Swedish dockworkers are refusing to unload Teslas at ports in broad boycott move (www.npr.org)

submitted 10 months ago by stopthatgirl7@kbin.social to c/workreform@lemmy.world

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Thousands of Swedish workers are rallying behind 120 Tesla mechanics. The workers are boycotting Teslas until the company signs a contract. Even postal workers may stop delivering mail.

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[–] meekah@lemmy.world 17 points 10 months ago (2 children)

I think Sweden's Union culture is especially interesting in the way that they do cross-trade-strikes. Like this article mentions, not only the mechanics who would be affected by the contract are striking. Instead basically anyone providing a service to Tesla stops providing services to them until they submit to the unions. It's really quite a nice system. I'd seriously consider moving there if it wasn't so conservative in some other ways..

[–] mundane@feddit.nu 5 points 10 months ago (2 children)

I usually think of us (swedes) as very progressive. In what way would you consider us conservative?

[–] meekah@lemmy.world 4 points 10 months ago* (last edited 10 months ago) (2 children)

Like the other commenter assumed, I am talking about the rise of right wingers and xenophobia. Maybe I just read about it a lot and think it's worse than it is. Seeing as this is also happening where I live, in Germany, I suppose it really isn't that strong of an argument.

I do realize you are relatively progressive in a lot of areas like renewable energy, social services etc.

What are your favorite progressive aspects of Sweden?

[–] mundane@feddit.nu 6 points 10 months ago (1 children)

I see the loud right winged racists as a result on how progressive we are. It's basically a response to us taking in a lot of foreigners a few years ago. Progress is never a straight line.

Swedes are really welcoming to new solutions if they are logical and beneficial.

Iso 8601 dates are the norm (yyyy-mm-dd). No weird order or backslashes.
Electronic payments are basically the only form of payment.
early adoption of high speed internet for most homes.
parents get 80% of the salary for 390 days (to share) to stay home with young kids.

[–] meekah@lemmy.world 2 points 10 months ago* (last edited 10 months ago)

You definitely have a point about progress not being a straight line. I would also like to think we are pretty progressive here in Germany but the recent few years have made me question that. Especially because I don't really agree with the german right wingers being a direct result of the refugees we took in around 2015. A lot of them are very anti establishment generally, almost on a conspiracy theory level. But nontheless, you are right that no curve can forever go up, even if the trend is headed that way.

I don't really think the first 3 points are markers of real progress, but I have to agree they are nice aspects of day to day life.

The last part is definitely interesting. I know we have something somewhat similar here in germany, but as always, it is hidden behind a huge wall of bureaucracy. Is that similar in Sweden or us bureaucracy more lenient/easy?

[–] Usul_00_@lemmy.world 1 points 10 months ago

My experience in Sweden suggest those are a very few online loudmouths, not at all indicative of how a visually diverse group was treated there. In fact, one black American mentioned how awesome it was just to be, and have their skin not be an issue in any wsy.

[–] cikano@lemmy.world 2 points 10 months ago

Could be weed being illegal here, or the increase of xenophobia / right wingers, or both

[–] profdc9@lemmy.world 4 points 10 months ago (1 children)

Aren't cross-trade strikes a consequence of union solidarity? I think large federated unions in other countries engage is similar protests.

[–] meekah@lemmy.world 1 points 10 months ago* (last edited 10 months ago)

I'm not sure about other countries, but I haven't heard of anything like that here in germany. To be fair, I'm not even really sure how big unions are here, but I always felt like there is pretty decent coverage. I know there is the IG Metall, which apparently has pretty good coverage of a lot of industrial trades. Then there is ver.di that covers a lot of more office-type jobs, and I think there is another one for train drivers and workers. I have heard of a lot of people in IG Metall, but I've also read that the other unions don't have that many members. Maybe we don't do cross trade strikes because of that?