Summary

The web content discusses a widespread, unofficial general strike where workers are reevaluating their work lives and choosing not to return to their previous jobs, reflecting a collective demand for better work conditions, wages, and work-life balance.

Abstract

The article titled "You Are Part of an Unofficial General Strike" argues that the phenomenon of mass resignations post-pandemic is indicative of a broader strike movement. It suggests that the enforced isolation during the pandemic provided workers with the time to reassess their lives, leading to a realization that the demands of their jobs were not commensurate with their personal well-being or financial compensation. The piece draws parallels to historical strikes, such as the one against the Pullman Palace Car Company, which led to the establishment of Labor Day. It posits that the current situation is unique because it is not organized by unions but is rather a spontaneous collective action where workers are refusing to return to pre-pandemic work norms. The article criticizes the media and governments for their surprise and lack of understanding of workers' struggles and points out that businesses are now scrambling to improve conditions to entice workers back, though for many, this is seen as too little, too late. The text emphasizes that this is not a labor shortage but a shortage of jobs that offer a living wage and humane working conditions, and it is a reflection of a widespread loss of trust in employers and the media.

Opinions

The author believes that the so-called "Great Resignation" is more accurately described as a general strike, reflecting a conscious decision by workers to withdraw their labor in pursuit of better conditions.
There is a sentiment that the pandemic has provided workers with a new perspective on their work-life balance, leading to a rejection of the traditional 9-to-5 office-bound job.
The media is criticized for not adequately reporting on poor work conditions and for being out of touch with the struggles of the working class, potentially due to corporate influence.
Governments are seen as having underestimated the financial struggles of workers and are now facing the consequences of their lack of insight.
Businesses, particularly those with a history of poor working conditions, are perceived as desperate and insincere in their attempts to lure back employees with improved pay and hours.
The author suggests that there is a widespread realization among workers that they deserve better than what they have been offered, and they are unwilling to return to exploitative work environments.
The article implies that society is at a turning point, with workers demanding a shift towards more sustainable and fulfilling work arrangements.

You Are Part of an Unofficial General Strike

We’re just tired as hell and aren’t going to take it anymore

There’s been a lot of talk about a phenomenon where people came out of the pandemic, went back to work, and promptly quit their jobs.

Then there are the people that never went back at all.

They’re calling it the Great Resignation, but I think it’s more than that.

I think we’ve all gone on strike

Has there ever been a general strike in history?

General strikes are usually associated with industries where a union exists. It’s a lot easier to organize workers if they are committed to a common cause and the union uses a strike as a bargaining tool.

There have been many strikes in US history and around the world. Not all of them were successful for the workers, but they have shaped the relationship between employers and employees.

A US national holiday, Labor Day, is a result of a famous strike that ended in July 1894. It was a strike against the Pullman Palace Car Company, where 250,000 workers protested 12 hour days and poor wages. When rioters destroyed hundreds of railcars, the National Guard killed around 30 people.

A general strike is when workers walk out on their own

In this case, a lot of the striking workers don't belong to a union but they’re making the decision to walk out.

It’s the opposite of mass hysteria. We’ve all come to our senses at the same time.

When we were forced to leave work and stay home in isolation for weeks, we lost a lot. But we gained one thing.

We gained time

Time to look at our lives and reflect. We gained perspective.

When our employers allowed us to work from home, we realized it wasn’t necessary to commute to work every day. We learned that it was possible to do our jobs without being physically present in an office.

We realized we are tired of long hours, low wages, and backbreaking work.

Our eyes are open now, and we can see what’s been going on. We can see the hamster wheel. We’ve been chasing a dream but it’s never been our dream. It’s a dream we’ve been fed by corporations and the media.

It’s in their interest to have us step back into the traces and start working again. It’s in their interest to have us return to the mindless shopping, the cycle of work and spending, the constant mindless chasing of the next best thing.

After all, if we stop spending money on stuff, where will the big corporations be?

The media is surprised

They don’t understand our refusal to return to work. Once things started opening up again, they were surprised to hear that people didn’t rush back to their old lives.

Why should we?

They should have been outraged all along. They should have been reporting on poor work conditions, low wages, and the stress imposed on employees to meet the demands of our employers. They should have talked about the stress we’ve been carrying by leaving our families for most of the day, every day.

But then again, we shouldn’t forget who sponsors much of the mainstream media. It’s the corporations that control much of our mainstream media through advertising.

Governments are appalled

Critics say some governments provided too much money for people who were out of work.

In some cases, they paid people more than they could earn at our old jobs. That was a surprise too. Even the governments had no idea how we were struggling to make ends meet.

They cut off supports in an effort to make people go back to work. Some have said governments should punish people that don’t go back to work.

Businesses are desperate

They’re offering better pay and flexible hours in an effort to entice workers back.

Entire industries that have relied on a culture of long hours, subsistence pay, and abusive bosses are struggling. (Hello, restaurants, I’m talking about your abysmal kitchen conditions.)

Too little too late I say.

There’s a famous saying:

“Fool me once, shame on you. Fool me twice, shame on me. Fool me three times, shame on both of us.” Stephen King, On Writing

He’s right.

We’re tired of living this way.

We want something more in our lives.

The government can’t force us back to work at the same jobs for the same pay.

We don’t need the media to scold us.

We don’t trust employers who weren’t interested in treating us well until they had to change their ways.

It’s not a labor shortage it’s a shortage of living-wage jobs.

It’s a lack of trust.

It’s an “I’ve had enough and I’m not willing to take anymore.” moment.

It's a shortage of affordable daycare, a shortage of low-cost health care.

People had to make it on their own for long enough and had enough time to think and now they aren’t willing to get back on the hamster wheel.

We’re making a statement. We’re taking a stand.

We’re on strike.

I’d love to hear what you think about this Unofficial General Strike.

Inspired in part by a discussion with my friend and writer Pranshu, the Maverick Files.

And the 70s movie Network, where one scene pretty much sums it up.

Keywords: strike, general strike, great resignation, walkout