The Unwavering Backbone: Why Trades Unionists Stand as Guardians Against a Rising Tide… by Karen Orr
The forest, in its vast complexity, teaches us that collective strength is paramount. A single tree, standing alone, is vulnerable to the fiercest storm. But a grove, with roots intertwined and branches forming a dense canopy, can weather almost anything. So too, in the swirling currents of human society, the Trades Union has always been that grove – a collective power, forged from individual struggles, protecting and uplifting its members.
I’ve often found myself reflecting on the profound insights of figures like the late American activist, Jane McAlevey. She understood, with a clarity few possessed, that the role of the Trades Unionist extends far beyond the bargaining table. It is not merely about wages and working conditions, though these are foundational; it is about dignity, democracy, and the fundamental right of every individual to a fair share in the fruits of their labour.
The Everyday Heroism of the Trades Unionist
McAlevey’s vision of a Trades Unionist was not of a distant bureaucrat, but of an active, engaged member of the community, standing shoulder-to-shoulder with their fellow workers. The Trades Unionist, in her view, is an organizer, an educator, and a tireless advocate. They are the ones who listen to the quiet anxieties in the breakroom, the whispered grievances on the factory floor, and transform those individual worries into a collective voice.
Their role is to challenge the inherent power imbalance between capital and labour, ensuring that human beings are not treated as mere cogs in a machine, but as valuable contributors with rights and agency. This involves not just negotiating contracts, but also building solidarity, understanding legislative processes, and mobilizing communities. It is a constant, often thankless, process of ensuring that the powerful do not trample upon the vulnerable. They are the guardians of economic justice, pushing back against exploitation and fighting for a world where work is a source of pride and sustenance, not endless toil and insecurity.
This is the everyday heroism, the steadfast dedication that often goes unheralded, yet forms the very bedrock of a just society.
The Union as a Bulwark Against Fascism
And now, more than ever, the role of the Trades Union extends into a new, terrifying arena: the pushback against a rising tide of fascism. When I observe the political landscape today, I see disturbing parallels to the conditions that allowed authoritarianism to flourish in the past. Economic insecurity, the scapegoating of minorities, the erosion of democratic norms, and the concentration of wealth – these are the fertile grounds where fascism takes root.
Historically, Trades Unions have been among the most formidable opponents of authoritarian regimes. Why? Because fascism thrives on division, on crushing independent thought, and on dismantling any collective power that can challenge its absolute authority. Trades Unions, by their very nature, are antithetical to fascism. They represent collective action, democratic decision-making among their members, and an unwavering commitment to the rights of the working class – precisely the elements that fascists seek to eliminate.
In a modern context, the union’s role in this fight is multifaceted:
- Protecting Democratic Spaces: Unions provide democratic structures where debate is encouraged, and collective decisions are made. They are training grounds for democratic participation, which is vital when broader democratic institutions are under threat.
- Fighting Economic Insecurity: By advocating for fair wages, secure jobs, and social protections, unions directly counter the economic anxieties that fascists exploit to recruit followers. When people feel economically stable, they are less susceptible to demagogues promising simple, often violent, solutions.
- Promoting Solidarity Across Divides: Fascism thrives on dividing people by race, religion, gender, and nationality. Unions, by uniting workers from all backgrounds under a common cause, actively build solidarity and challenge these divisive narratives. They show that our shared humanity and economic interests are stronger than any artificial divisions.
- Defending Free Speech and Association: Authoritarian regimes always target independent organizations. Unions, by fiercely defending their right to organize, strike, and speak out, stand as a critical line of defense for fundamental freedoms that fascists seek to suppress.
A Call to Collective Action
The fight for fair wages, safe workplaces, and secure futures is inseparable from the fight for democracy itself. The Trades Union, as envisioned by Jane McAlevey and as proven through history, is not just an economic force but a moral and political imperative. It is the collective voice that says, “We will not be divided, we will not be exploited, and we will not surrender our democratic rights.”
In these challenging times, the Trades Unionist is more vital than ever – a steadfast guardian, reminding us that together, we are stronger, and together, we can weather even the fiercest storms that threaten to engulf our societies. Like the ancient forest, our collective strength is our greatest defence.
If you’ve never heard of her, go find her.
