Europe Re-Discovers America… and It Ain’t Pretty

http://dissidentvoice.org/2011/06/europe-re-discovers-america%E2%80%A6-and-it-ain%E2%80%99t-pretty/

The industries and nationalities differ, but the tactics remain the same. European companies that wouldn’t dream of pulling similar stunts in their home countries have found they can treat American workers as shabbily as American companies treat Third World workers, yet never have to worry about any public relations backlash. If it weren’t so tragic, the post-Cold War irony would be savory.

Take, for example, the French-owned multinational Roquette Freres. Twenty years ago, Roquette opened a milling plant in the tiny town of Keokuk, Iowa, lured there by the generous promise of tens of millions of dollars in tax breaks and other financial benefits. The community leaders desperately needed the industry, and Roquette was more than happy to put down roots.

But last September, things turned unexpectedly ugly when Roquette put a gun to the head of the 240 members of BCTGM (Bakery, Confectionery, Tobacco Workers and Grain Millers) Local 48 G and told them that unless they accepted what amounted to the evisceration of their current contract, they would be locked-out.

Roquette’s “last, best and final” offer to the union was an insult. It included a $4 per hour pay cut, total freedom to use temp workers in place of full-time employees, elimination of sick, maternity and personal leaves, elimination of the pension plan, and drastic increases in health care premiums. All jammed down the union’s throat.

More at the link --

The USA has now officially been recategorized as a third world country. :eyes:


Ed: This must be the famous Bush legacy I've heard so much about.

and bad infrastructure. it specifically refers to countries in asia, africa and latin america that gained independence after WWII and declined to officially take one side or another in the cold war.

I think that third-world is a rather accurate term for the labor laws in the US. At-will employment without right of recourse for a laid-off employee is quite third world.

because Europeans know for direct action. Generally speaking. Americans have forgotten, or have chosen to forget, or believe that worrying about God, gays and guns is more important.

although -- that could change if neo-liberalism sinks in any deeper -- and it's deep now.

europe is small and relatively non-diverse, and so therefore europeans are better able to unite and discover their common interests and act against Capital.

If you want to live like west europe, make america LIKE west european nations.

We certainly have our work cut out for us. On the other hand, people said you couldn't organize U.S. Steel, too.

I forwarded the link to this article to the editor of the Keokuk newspaper.

It has been destroying the planet for decades.

I'm reminded of an old George Carlin bit where he explains - the planet isn't going anywhere - we are!!!!