Employers never let a crisis go to waste. The economic crisis created by the global pandemic will be used as a springboard to demand that workers work more and accept less.
To help guide us through this moment, Labor Notes is providing a free digital copy of our first book, Concessions and How to Beat Them by Jane Slaughter. An updated introduction from the author and links to a few relevant articles are included below.
Hard to imagine today, but there was once a time when unions expected to get a better contract every time they went to the bargaining table. When concessionary bargaining began in the late 70s and early 80s, many labor leaders and commentators shoved their heads firmly in the sand and denied there was any trend afoot.
Employers knew better. And so did Labor Notes. The balance of power was shifting and emboldened employers were demanding givebacks and cuts even if they don’t actually need them. Many labor leaders went along to get along and some went so far as to preach the boss’s gospel, proclaiming to their members that concessions would save jobs.
Far from being merely an interesting historical document, Concessions and How to Beat Them provides many relevant lessons for unionists today.