"Unions used to make sense but are obsolete in today's economy!" Unions are an "outside force" or "third party." "I'm a strong worker. Unionization will harm me personally and only help the weak and lazy workers." "Unions are rigid, old fashioned hierarchies."

We’ve all no doubt heard these talking points at some point, if not often, from news shows, opinion pieces, TV dramas, members of our families, our co-workers and, probably most of all, our bosses. What’s remarkable is how little these general talking points have changed throughout the decades. Some versions of these pat anti-union lines have been around since there have been unions. It's generally unseemly to appear anti-worker or not OF the working class so opposition to the one thing that historically empowers the working class––unions––is seen as crass and politically incorrect.

So, in its place has emerged a popular set of go-to, sophistic arguments that allow one to appear pro-working class without the messiness and ideological heavy lifting of actually supporting labor organizing and unionization. These McArguments––that after decades of anti-union messaging feel right without being right––appeal to ignorance, prejudice, vagueness and gendered and racialized perceptions of what labor is, and what labor deserves: the protection and stability offered by collective bargaining.

On this episode, we detail eight of the most popular anti-union talking points, their origins, who they serve, their purpose and power, and––most important of all––how to combat them.

Our guest is union organizer and author Daisy Pitkin.

Episode 177: Popular Anti-Union Talking Points and How to Combat Them

Citations Needed is a podcast about the media, power, PR, and the history of bullshit. It is hosted by Nima Shirazi and Adam Johnson, and produced by Florence Barrau-Adams.

Soralia - structures on a lichen that produce asexual spores containing both the photobiont & mycobiont.

Philbo Schwaggins has been a resident of the North Central Texas Plains bioregion since 1989. From early on they enjoyed being outside and enjoying the abundance of nature. Academically, they earned a Bachelors of Science in Psychology with a minor in Horticulture. They proudly achieved the distinction of “grad school dropout” after deciding not to complete a Masters of Science Degree in the interdisciplinary field of Sustainability, focusing on regenerative agriculture, environmental ethics, and people’s relationship to the natural world. In addition to working and learning about fungi, plants and people, Philbo also enjoys playing music, exploring inner- and outer spaces!!!

Since early childhood, Philbo has been making music. They’ve been doing it so long, it’s surprising they’re not better. However, making art is not solely about perfecting technical skill, it's about an interplay between creator and observer. If it sounds good, roll with it. Though Philbo enjoys many genres of music, their solo production and performance has largely been electronic dance music and DJing wild parties of rebellion and liberation.

Episode 177: Popular Anti-Union Talking Points and How to Combat Them

Citations Needed Podcast