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What effective alternative would workers in this situation have to improve working conditions other than striking?
by prawn 11y ago
What effective alternative would workers in this situation have to improve working conditions other than striking?
- pdq 11y agoThe same way anyone gets a raise: increase your skillset, show your employer how much more productive you are (with numbers), or get work from another employer at a higher wage.
- zardo 11y agoThe whole world does not work like the Bay area. Their best chance for better working conditions is probably illegal immigration to the US.
- dcgudeman 11y agoApply for a job at a different factory, one he or she finds preferable.
- skylan_q 11y agoThey can't. There's tons of cheap labor out there in the developing world and 3rd world. Capital moves quick and labor is everywhere. The best we can do in the long-run to increase working conditions is to increase demand for labor. In the short-term, all they can do is strike.
- skybrian 11y agoThe best we could do, in theory, would be to allow them to work in the U.S. This helps not only the workers but their families at home, though remittances. Unlikely to happen in this political climate, though.
- garrettgrimsley 11y agoThe whole point of Lexmark operating the plant in Mexico rather than the USA is to save on labor costs. It does not make sense for Lexmark to purchase labor in the USA for over eight times what it would cost if they were to purchase it in Mexico.
- gnu8 11y agoLexmark should not be allowed to purchase labor in Mexico for any less than it would cost in the United States. That would solve the problem neatly.
- tonyedgecombe 11y agoThen there would be no jobs in Mexico.
- skybrian 11y agoWell, yes, but why should the workers care if they can get a better job.
- garrettgrimsley 11y agoI think that I interpreted your post differently than how you meant for it to be interpreted. I read your post to be a solution for workers at this particular plant, keeping their jobs but with the Lexmark plant located physically in the USA. You are talking about enabling these workers to seek jobs at other businesses within the USA, is that correct?
- skybrian 11y agoYes, I think the goal should be to help people in whatever way you can, not to help Lexmark find workers or to preserve a particular employment relationship. It's my understanding that immigration often results in large gains for the immigrants, so it may be more effective than other forms of help.
- prawn 11y agoThe response from the government was that they shouldn't strike. What does the government think they should do? Are they implying some other viable action?
- skybrian 11y agoThe most effective way is to work in another country, if they'll let you in. But often it's only a solution for people who are brave and lucky.