Work Reform

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A place to discuss positive changes that can make work more equitable, and to vent about current practices. We are NOT against work; we just want the fruits of our labor to be recognized better.

Our Philosophies:

All workers must be paid a living wage for their labor.
Income inequality is the main cause of lower living standards.
Workers must join together and fight back for what is rightfully theirs.
We must not be divided and conquered. Workers gain the most when they focus on unifying issues.

Our Goals

Higher wages for underpaid workers.
Better worker representation, including but not limited to unions.
Better and fewer working hours.
Stimulating a massive wave of worker organizing in the United States and beyond.
Organizing and supporting political causes and campaigns that put workers first.

founded 1 year ago

MODERATORS

seeCseas@lemmy.world

tintory@lemm.ee

TinMod@lemmy.world

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Are there any political or social movements that try to mandate all business be worker owned cooperatives and how can we support them? (lemmy.world)

submitted 4 months ago by Twoafros@lemmy.world to c/workreform@lemmy.world

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I'm all for higher minimum wages, unions, paid leaves and other forms of worker protection, but it seems like the most forms of worker protection focus on maintaining a division between an employer(s) who owns the business and the employee who makes money for the business but does not own it. IMO, this division is unethical and exploitative because it denies the worker the full value of their work.

Are there any political or social movements that push for policy or legislation that makes all businesses to be worker owned cooperatives?

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[–] Nougat@fedia.io 1 points 4 months ago (1 children)

I may have understated a major point:

... I would argue that those benefits have far more Value than the dollars that I pay in taxes for them even now.

When we organize together to pool our efforts in ways that benefit everyone, the return on those efforts is exponentially higher.

When we work together to lift everyone up, we all receive a return that is far greater than the effort we individually put in. The whole is greater than the sum of its parts, and not just by a smidgeon. No, the outcomes are not always going to be perfect, but by continuing to work together for the common good, in myriad ways, with as many people as possible joining in, we will continue to approach a better existence for everyone.

[–] Cowbee@lemmy.ml 0 points 4 months ago (1 children)

Yes, generally, my point is specifically referring to the Marxist concept of Value, vs the Marxist concept of Use-Value.

[–] Nougat@fedia.io 0 points 4 months ago (1 children)

Okay, that's fair.

Using that terminology then, the Value outlaid to the common good returns a Use-Value that is worth incredibly more than if the Value had been expended individually.

[–] Cowbee@lemmy.ml 0 points 4 months ago

Generally, yes. Workers working in common are more efficient, and as such the Value created by 1 hour of Socially Necessary Labor Time for all of society is higher, which in turn is represented by increased use-value.