Thomas K. | Red Phoenix correspondent | Ohio–

A recent news report attempted to shed light on the current Ohio labor political landscape, where unions are shifting rightward. It highlights two “labor leaders” inside of the state and they both share their perspectives on the growing divide in union labor. The report both correctly and incorrectly diagnoses issues that led to that growing divide. The intent of this article is to provide a counter analysis, one anchored in material reality. While it is true that there has been a noticeable shift to the right from the working class, it is not due to a supreme effort on behalf of the GOP, nor by some false sense of equal “pro-union” representation. The growing divide is only a manifestation of the natural contradictions built into the system we exist in. 

Currently in Ohio there is a divide in the labor movement between whether to vote for exploitation with a closed fist, or exploitation with an open hand, highlighting the distinct lack of a militant labor movement in Ohio and in the United States broadly.

The current business manager of Local 18 Operating Engineers (IUOE) gives their assessment of the situation, and explains that the Democrats are not putting in the time or the effort to develop a relationship, and that the Republicans have “earned” their endorsement. Yet I’m sure if we put that to the test, and interviewed the rank and file of Local 18, we would find the same divide we see nationwide. The workers are sure that something has been “earned,” but it is not our respect and certainly not our endorsement. 

Using the exit polls for the 2024 election out of Ohio we see that out of 4,612 respondents, 17% were in a “union household,” 54% of which voted for Trump. We can see as far as the state of Ohio is concerned though holding the majority, that  would hardly constitute an earned decision. Extending out to national results shows us that the figures change to 19% reporting as a “union household,” 53% of which voted for Harris. Once again, though a majority, it hardly constitutes an earned decision. 

The International Vice President of the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW), then gives their assessment, explaining that it is most important to have strong advocates for labor rights. Further explaining that the Democrats provide the correct option simply based on experience! “Sherrod Brown (OH Dem. Senator candidate) has done it for decades; there’s no better advocate. He is literally the conscience of labor.” Violently ignoring the fact that Sherrod’s title first begins with “former,” the argument that experience alone qualifies you for the office leaves much to be desired. Experience in what exactly? Looking through Brown’s track record, what we see is a career politician who did enough in the American political sphere to maintain the moniker of “progressive Democrat,” a politician constantly pandering to both sides of the line to maintain status (e.g. being an open “opponent” to the finance industry, while also taking campaign money from VISA).

The article then goes on to describe why this split has emerged, citing incidents where both candidates appear to be “pro-union,” so rank and file members vote based on other stances. This leaves the reader very confused, because it has just been explained to us by two “representatives” of the working class that neither candidate is pro-union! Moreno, for not being “conscious of labor,” and Brown for not putting in the time! Instead of dancing around the elephant in the room for capital’s sake, let’s acknowledge it. The “divide” is nothing more than a culture war created by the owning class and its agents in order to maintain its vampiric grip on the working class. 

As the contradictions of capital become more and more prevalent, as wars and market collapses begin to resurge as monopolies and banks reshape our world, it becomes very hard to hide this from the eyes of the worker. The obvious solution is to conceal the truth behind a dense growth of lies. In the case of the United States, this became a campaign to convince the American citizens that they are under attack by their neighbors, coworkers, and friends. Christians are told they are under attack! Yet out of 36,908 adults polled — 62% — reported as being “Christian.” We are told the woke LGBTQ+ agents are slowly taking over the government, yet both sides have ruthlessly attacked our LGBTQ+ community, especially targeting medical treatment for transgender individuals (e.g. Biden and Trump). These foolish notions and more are presented to us daily, but we cannot take the bait.

These lies are fed to us to hide the brutality of the system that enslaves us.  These stories are pushed to the front of our feeds, so that reports exposing the theft of wages by the EMPLOYERS, or the dangerous and disgusting working conditions forced on to workers by the EMPLOYERS, are buried. This back and forth discussion about whether or not labor unions should vote Democrat or Republican is exactly what the owning class wants! They want us wasting our hard earned resources on do nothing candidates or better off candidates that actively sellout workers! These lies are further pushed and handed to us by members of our own unions who have found great comfort (or wealth!) in working for our oppressors! Perhaps instead of letting capital interests divide us as workers, we use our resources to unite together! Instead of our oppressors being able to divide us as individual crafts, why not organize into Industry Unions? All the workers organized under one roof! As the slogan goes “United we bargain, divided we beg!” Let’s join under one roof and promote a member from within to these political offices! A person no longer beholden to the whims of PACs and corporations but one who answers to us! This would be the start of a system feared by capitalists!

They divide us because they fear us. It seems now more than ever at the precipice of so many technological achievements that the working class need to organize stronger than ever. As the owning class pushes ever harder to take away our labor power from us and replace us with robots and AI, we must not go down without a fight! These machines and systems were built by us, the workers, and without dedicated militant organizing, starting at our labor unions, these machines will be used to replace us. We cannot fall for the lies of the great divide in the working class! The divide is between the capitalist, and the single mother of four working two jobs, and that is a chasm the likes of which we cannot fathom. 

It is from our hands this world is built and to our hands it will return! 

All power to the workers!

Categories: Labor, U.S. News