It was somewhat dispiriting to watch this exemplary documentary by Reichert and Bognar on Netflix. Chinese mogul Cao Dewang opened a Fuyao glass factory in a shuttered General Motors plant in Dayton, Ohio. Many former auto workers were happy to get jobs that allowed them to move out of the basement in relatives' houses. Everything seemed rosy, even though former autoworkers were now making $14 an hour after having made $29 at GM. But Cao wasn't making enough money so safety precautions were reduced and pressure was exerted on the workers, with American supervisors replaced by Chinese. Some workers spoke in favor of a union and attempted to organize and the organizers were fired, one by one (technically illegal but hard to prove, as other reasons were found) while union-busting consultants were hired to mislead and intimidate workers. Some workers were rewarded for their loyalty by being flown to China's Fuyao factories, where the regimented workers received one or two days off a month and often worked 12-hour days. The workers in Dayton voted against a union.
In the news this week, however, was a story about Democratic candidates for the presidency appearing at the Iowa Federation of Labor, AFL-CIO. It has been well established that inequality in this country is directly related to the diminishing number of union members and all the Democratic candidates are resolved to do something about this. Bernie Sanders has the most detailed plan, which includes substantially increasing union membership by signing cards (ending the voting that gives management the opportunity to intimidate), ending right-to-work laws, bargaining by industry instead of by company and requiring the savings received by companies no longer needing union-negotiated health plans (Medicare for all taking their place) be used for raising wages and adding other benefits.
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