Post AQDevwWr9e0BtsSP0y by walruslifestyle@octodon.social
 (DIR) More posts by walruslifestyle@octodon.social
 (DIR) Post #AQDevwWr9e0BtsSP0y by walruslifestyle@octodon.social
       2022-12-02T16:06:02Z
       
       0 likes, 1 repeats
       
       Railroads were willing to give workers 24% raises and $1,000 cash bonuses yearly, but were not willing to give them a single paid sick day off. Why?Because in the past 10 or so years, freight rail has switched to a "just in time" model and reduced staffing by 30%. They can't handle unplanned staff shortages anymore because of this change to their operating model. They're even fine giving relatively generous vacation time (by US standards), because that time is planned in advance. It's the unpredictable nature of sick time that they object to.In general, such changes seem to always funnel lots of money to the wealthy people who own and control the business, while requiring inhumane conditions for the people who work there (and actually produce the value).I wish all the hand-wringing and blame-gaming going on about the railroad strike shitshow would include this context. No amount of shouting at Biden or The Democrats or the GOP or the moon is going to change the business model, unless that shouting includes putting real force behind making that model illegal or regulated. As long as that way of operating a business continues to exist and spread, workers will be fucked over by it.
       
 (DIR) Post #AQDevyDQspeZ8DNv16 by walruslifestyle@octodon.social
       2022-12-02T16:08:49Z
       
       0 likes, 0 repeats
       
       I mean, you know, fuck capitalism and neoliberalism forever. Still, if you want to reduce harm in the near time and your strategy is to agitate for change at the margins, at least try to make it informed and effective?