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> But the progress in labor fairness in the US, 8 hour work days, minimum wage, workplace safety, has been fought for in literal blood. What changes would you

by jerry1979 5y ago

> But the progress in labor fairness in the US, 8 hour work days, minimum wage, workplace safety, has been fought for in literal blood. What changes would you make to improve the labor system today? Or, have people in the past already made all the good changes? > But there’s no free lunch in society Out of curiosity, what about things like wikipedia or other copy-left works?

crazydoggers 5y ago
I think the gig economy is a serious issue in need of federal regulation. Companies are managing to convince people that they should trade benefits that have been won through labor disputes over the decades for “flexibility” whatever that means. When you break the veil you see they are just skirting labor laws. Another issue is that unions have lost their strength and have been vilified. Although they are not perfect, they are a critical part of forcing companies to maintain positive work standards. This is where people need to stop complaining about their plight, and stand up for themselves. The laws and systems are in place to support it. People just need to motivation. We’ve just seen this occur when workers voted against unionization at Amazon against their own interests (also demonstrates that claims of massive worker unhappiness just don’t ring true) As for copy-left, wikipedia etc. Those were donations made from people’s hard work, so again nothing comes free. Such donations should be treasured as such, not taken for granted. I and many others donate significant sums to Wikipedia and the like to promote their existence.
- jerry1979 5y ago
  Totally agree on the gig economy and union ideas you have. The recent Amazon vote and other similar votes against unionization that I have noticed in my area have really hurt my outlook on labor in the US. Regarding copy-left, whenever I make contributions to the commons, I do so in order that others may have a zero-marginal-cost lunch, so to speak.

crazydoggers 5y ago

I think the gig economy is a serious issue in need of federal regulation. Companies are managing to convince people that they should trade benefits that have been won through labor disputes over the decades for “flexibility” whatever that means. When you break the veil you see they are just skirting labor laws. Another issue is that unions have lost their strength and have been vilified. Although they are not perfect, they are a critical part of forcing companies to maintain positive work standards. This is where people need to stop complaining about their plight, and stand up for themselves. The laws and systems are in place to support it. People just need to motivation. We’ve just seen this occur when workers voted against unionization at Amazon against their own interests (also demonstrates that claims of massive worker unhappiness just don’t ring true) As for copy-left, wikipedia etc. Those were donations made from people’s hard work, so again nothing comes free. Such donations should be treasured as such, not taken for granted. I and many others donate significant sums to Wikipedia and the like to promote their existence.

jerry1979 5y ago
Totally agree on the gig economy and union ideas you have. The recent Amazon vote and other similar votes against unionization that I have noticed in my area have really hurt my outlook on labor in the US. Regarding copy-left, whenever I make contributions to the commons, I do so in order that others may have a zero-marginal-cost lunch, so to speak.