ralbertoJan 9, 2025
Thib

I am European. I am horrified by the direction the world is taking. I feel powerless against a class that crushes the world to serve its own interests.

Today I joined a union.

Not because I’m at odds with my employer. They’re treating me well.

I’m joining a union because we need class solidarity. I’m joining a union to protect and rebuild public services. I’m joining a union because democracy is more than voting for representatives.

✊

Jan 8, 2025 at 9:07amWeb
Show threadVixenteJan 8, 2025
@thibaultamartin Well said. 💪
Show threadVentaJan 8, 2025
@thibaultamartin I too am horrified and terrified by the turn the world has taken. I fully expect a 3rd world war, waged by multi-billionaires in a bid to become even richer. It is genuinely like living in some futuristic dystopian movie.
Show threadZoidberg For PresidentJan 8, 2025

@thibaultamartin Democracy is not decided with a piece of paper, it is attained, like any other social advance, by taking it... and kept, like for any other social advance, by fighting for it.

Down with capitalism, down with the ruling classes !

Show thread24😷-185Jan 8, 2025
@thibaultamartin That's exactly my motivation to get unionized!
Show threadMarkNWJan 9, 2025
@thibaultamartin well done! I did the same about 3 years ago
Show threadSearingTruthJan 9, 2025

@thibaultamartin

"Together my friend.

That's how humanity will win."
SearingTruth

Show threadicaria36 🎶Jan 9, 2025
@thibaultamartin Same here. There are many complex problems and it is difficult to find a good next step in many of them. Joining a union isn't complex, it is a concrete step, and it helps figure out further steps.
Show threadIrenes (many)Jan 9, 2025
@thibaultamartin well said!!!!!
Show threadCarmen ZedlerJan 9, 2025
@thibaultamartin 💓
Show threadRoger BW 😷Jan 9, 2025
@thibaultamartin I am not a European any more because my government took all the dodgy money. My workplace union sides with the bosses over the workers every time.
Show threadJamieGC 🏴 🏳️‍🌈 🖖Jan 9, 2025
@RogerBW @thibaultamartin any way to replace their leadership?
Show threadRoger BW 😷Jan 9, 2025
@JamieGC @thibaultamartin Most of the members vote for business as usual.
Show threadMx VerdaJan 10, 2025

@RogerBW "for now"

@JamieGC @thibaultamartin

Show threadPete Prodoehl 🍕Jan 9, 2025
@thibaultamartin Can I just join a union? I don't have one at work as I work for a very small company run by a friend of mine, but... I support unions. Can you just join any union? (I'm in the US, btw.)
Show threadAmandaJan 9, 2025
@rasterweb @thibaultamartin I have always wondered this too! I would love to just join some unions in the US to support people…but I don’t know if that’s even allowed or how I would do it.
Show threadBrand_RJan 9, 2025

@thibaultamartin I've joined unions (more than one over my life) because I liked my employer and wanted it to stay that way.

When we can negotiate with leverage, and everyone knows we can all bring real effect to the table, we're all incentivized to behave.

When even good employers start to think they can get away with just a little more, it's often hard to hold the line.

So join a union, keep your relationships honest!

Show threadJamieGC 🏴 🏳️‍🌈 🖖Jan 9, 2025
@thibaultamartin workers of the world, unite. ✊
Show threadAphra Behn (ella/she)Jan 9, 2025

@thibaultamartin

I'm a freelancer. This year, I joined a union for the same reasons.

Show threadwebhatJan 10, 2025
@thibaultamartin I had a similar discussion with a colleague. As I said to her: "You have insurance for your car, house, incase your children break stuff. Joining a union is like having insurance on your job, you'll probably not need it, and when you do you'll be glad you have it."
Show threadMx VerdaJan 10, 2025

@webhat

except this "insurance" is people you can talk to directly and explain the consequences if they choose not to pay out, unless insurance companies.

@thibaultamartin

Show threadAndy WoottonJan 10, 2025
@thibaultamartin I don't think we need 'class' solidarity. We need 'good people' solidarity. 'Good' can be defined objectively, in terms of whether people prioritise the interests of self or of others. The poor can be just as selfish, if they only care about people like them. Trade Unions can use industrial power to be unfair.
Show threadAndy WoottonJan 10, 2025
@thibaultamartin I'm not claiming to be an angel but I try to balance my selfishness with minimising harm to others.
Show threadAndy WoottonJan 10, 2025
@thibaultamartin Politics is the debate over what "fair" means. When I say it, I mean the 'Social Liberal' interpretation. People aren't equal but the consequences of that should be limited. Inequality needs upper bounds.
Show threadMx VerdaJan 10, 2025

@woo

Rich people can decide to be 'good' people by entrusting their excess wealth and assets to their local (non-rich af) communities.

By showing solidarity with others in their actions, THEN I'm willing to work with them. Otherwise it's all talk and reputation politics rather than giving a fuck about reducing real harm.

@thibaultamartin

Show threadLordWoolamalooJan 10, 2025
@thibaultamartin I work in a wonderful, independent bookshop, but I still have my union membership. Years ago when I had a not very nice employer, my union had my back, and we won. On the publicity around the case, my union told me they had a surge of booksellers joining because of it
Show threadMAMA TJan 10, 2025
@thibaultamartin I am so with you. I don't think I have many moments of my days that are not anxiety driven. It is a helpless feeling.
Show threadRosy MathsJan 10, 2025
@thibaultamartin 💪
Show threadeconadsJan 10, 2025
@thibaultamartin @sinituulia
Yep, should be a point of principal
Show threadMaël / AkinJan 10, 2025
@thibaultamartin you brought hope to me, thanks !
Show threadYet another Josh Jan 10, 2025

@thibaultamartin

I'm in the USA.

Every non-professional (read: slave labor) job didn't permit unions. Worked at Walmart, who'd fire you. And Starbucks unionized 15 years after I was there.

Every "professional" job never had unions either. Even the one at the university. Nope. I made $2500 more than the CWA would permit, and I was marked "professional".

Sure, unions exist for some people here. I've never had the capability to join one. My gods, I've wanted to.

Show threadBoris BarbourJan 10, 2025

@thibaultamartin

Was thinking similar thoughts. Also, possibly joining a political party. Collective action requires organisation, ergo join existing organisations.

Show threadAndrew JenningsJan 11, 2025
@thibaultamartin several times in my working life I was in very difficult situations. Only the union helped. They were wonderful. Great move.
Show threadmariaureaJan 11, 2025
@thibaultamartin
In fact, we are living in a totally unimaginable surreal moment... The world is diving dangerously into a stage of regression and mediocrity just when information has become instantaneous.