The strike by workers of the CUNA Mutual Group/True Stage is more than just a local dispute.
For the first and only time in a more than 80 year history of unionization workers at CUNA Mutual members of OPEIU local 39 have gone on strike. In and of itself this is a remarkable event.
But it is part of a nationwide response by working people to the deteriorating conditions of existence.
Workers at CUNA are on strike for a future and against the ravages of a successful corporate offensive against working people. That offensive is based on the corporate class’ desire to maximize profits by ending any type of obligation to working people that may impede that objective. As such corporations have eliminated defined benefit pension plans, eviscerated medical insurance plans; and have done everything possible to destroy any hope of long term employment. They have successfully separated wage increases from productivity increases . As workers have produced more wealth their share of it has decreased. The escalator of improved real wages and benefits stopped advancing in the mid to late seventies for many, and went into reverse for even more people in the two thousands. The corporate objective looks like the 19th century- when workers were paid by the day or task and companies had no responsibility beyond that – sounds like gig work today.
The workers at CUNA are on strike for a different future-one that includes a well-financed health insurance system; a defined benefit pension plan; wages that reflect the tremendous increases in productivity that the company has secured and a job security package. The workers vision directly challenges the 19th century vision of the company.
But this strike is important for another reason. CUNA has employed an aggressive strategy of contracting out employment using a sophisticated system of communications and contracting arrangements. It is the union’s estimate that most of the 1200 jobs moved from Madison are still being performed remotely. In other words the work is still there but not the wages, pensions, healthcare or rights associated with a union and a contract. The union is battling for a 21st century standard of living and corporate responsibility against a 19th century vision. In this regard the strike at CUNA is part of a nationwide movement of workers to build a future commensurate with their needs not just the greed of the corporations.
I am Frank Emspak for Madison Labor Radio. My remarks are mine alone and do not necessarily reflect the views of Madison Labor Radio or WORT.