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The people in these threads arguing that unions are a drain on society are not going to go for UBI-esque schemes, and currently UBI itself isn’t politically pop

The people in these threads arguing that unions are a drain on society are not going to go for UBI-esque schemes, and currently UBI itself isn’t politically popular enough in general to happen. It’s not enough to have an idea of how things could work—you need something we can feasibly pull off in the current political landscape, otherwise it’s just wishful thinking.

cloverich 2y ago
I in general view unions as a net negative, but think UBI is a great ideal to strive towards. IMO they arent remotely the same thing? One protects a narrow set of jobs and salary at seemingly any cost, the other is about wealth (re)distribution.
- Uehreka 2y ago
  I’m glad you’re in favor of UBI, but the number of people in the “dislikes unions, likes UBI” camp is extremely tiny (though likely massively over represented on HN). It’s true that if UBI was really on the table, this conversation could go in much more interesting directions. Unfortunately right now it’s nowhere near politically viable (at least in America, where these strikes are happening) which makes it a non-solution to the immediate problems facing workers.
  - ImPostingOnHN 2y ago
    Count me as another who views these demands by the union as counterproductive, while supporting UBI at the same time. I submit that we're under-represented on HN, canceling out the opinion that we're over-represented I think your guess about the overlap between UBI supporters and supporters of these union demands is way off base, and is serving to distract from the substance of the matter. The unions should be advocating for fair pay for employed union members, but not for unlimited jobs forever. If anything, the union has money and can provide a salary to laid-off employees. Alternatively, maybe unions should be advocating for UBI and advocating for their members to do the same, and to vote for the politicians more likely to support UBI.

cloverich 2y ago

I in general view unions as a net negative, but think UBI is a great ideal to strive towards. IMO they arent remotely the same thing? One protects a narrow set of jobs and salary at seemingly any cost, the other is about wealth (re)distribution.

Uehreka 2y ago
I’m glad you’re in favor of UBI, but the number of people in the “dislikes unions, likes UBI” camp is extremely tiny (though likely massively over represented on HN). It’s true that if UBI was really on the table, this conversation could go in much more interesting directions. Unfortunately right now it’s nowhere near politically viable (at least in America, where these strikes are happening) which makes it a non-solution to the immediate problems facing workers.
- ImPostingOnHN 2y ago
  Count me as another who views these demands by the union as counterproductive, while supporting UBI at the same time. I submit that we're under-represented on HN, canceling out the opinion that we're over-represented I think your guess about the overlap between UBI supporters and supporters of these union demands is way off base, and is serving to distract from the substance of the matter. The unions should be advocating for fair pay for employed union members, but not for unlimited jobs forever. If anything, the union has money and can provide a salary to laid-off employees. Alternatively, maybe unions should be advocating for UBI and advocating for their members to do the same, and to vote for the politicians more likely to support UBI.