Solidarity

Solidarity! Actually, I'm getting sick of that word. It's essentially being used to promote blind loyalty to unions.

When it comes to unions, I'm not a hardliner. There are times when it seems beneficial for workers to unite to ensure they are treated fairly by their employers. On the other hand, corrupt union leaders can exploit workers for the sake of their own power. Take a look at the NEA and AFT. These unions have repeatedly proven that they are willing to destroy future generations purely for the sake of their own power. Their actions make it nearly impossible to support public sector unions.

The concept of solidarity is typically used to get as many members as possible of unions behind the same narrative. If all members back the narrative, this can give them more leverage in negotiations. In some ways this makes sense. Getting everyone behind the same messaging can help achieve the goals of the majority.

Unfortunately, solidarity tends to give union leaders a disproportionate amount of power. Even with voting within a union, leaders can influence votes. They can make the case that their personal interests would benefit the workers. Workers frequently buy into the narrative and vote how they think they are supposed to vote. It might sound good for a union if over 90% of the members vote to strike, but is this an accurate measure? How do we know that they're not simply voting how they were told to vote?

It gets even worse when you look at other unions. Unions try to show solidarity with other unions. This means that union members are supposed to automatically side with unions regardless of the circumstance. Do you know what that means? Union members are expected to mindlessly agree with union leaders every time. Simply put, solidarity has become code for an anti-thought mindset.

Union leaders also frequently push an agenda unrelated to their jobs. Again, the NEA and AFT are great examples of this. They both include resources for members to tell them how to vote on various issues. Both those organizations openly push support for Democrats and liberal policies unrelated to their work. Let’s not kid ourselves. These are political organizations.

Again, I don't view unions as inherently bad. The issue is when unions overemphasize solidarity. Good unions represent their members. Bad unions expect members to represent them. Solidarity, as the term is typically used, is about encouraging members to mindlessly support union leaders. It's about convincing union members to represent the union. Good unions care more about what their individual members want. They don't fixate on solidarity.