:: rawblogXport ::

:: Tuesday, July 08, 2003 ::

Opinion - LATimes: Democracy and Unions Go Together
Whenever democratic societies have arisen, however, trade unions have been part of the process. When Gen. Douglas MacArthur was given the task of creating a democratic system in Japan after centuries of imperial rule, one of the first things he did was encourage the creation of independent labor unions. To achieve this goal he incorporated the U.S. National Labor Relations Act verbatim into Japanese law. Unions in both nations remain a key element in the stable fabric of society.

German unions in for a summer of discontent Held up by former British premier Margaret Thatcher in the 1980s as models of moderate responsible worker representation, Germany's organised labour is now seen at home and abroad as a force to be swept aside before Chancellor Gerhard Schroeder can achieve his Agenda 2010 plan to kick-start the stalled German economy.

These reforms take for granted that, if Germany is to avoid the same prolonged slump afflicting Japan, it must act decisively to deregulate labour markets and pare back social security costs, and, if necessary, overrule organised labour's resistance.

Under the umbrella of the DGB or German Workers Organisation, Germany's labour movement is under fire and dangerously split between powerful militant component unions like IG Metall (the engineers); and the more conciliatory IG Bau (the construction workers).

posted 6:21 AM :: reference link :: 0 comments ::

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