No Unions for Bolivian Public Workers

There are no unions for public workers in Bolivia.  Despite having socialist leaders, government offices in fact resemble the complete opposite; the central government finds it easy to impose its socialist mandates on others (the private sector), but has found it extremely difficult to lead by example.

President Evo Morales giving a speech, broadcast in front
of the Congressional Building. Attendance was mandatory
for public employees this Saturday afternoon.

Without public unions, politicians try to cut costs within their offices and rule with iron fists.  Even though employees are only paid for the equivalent of a 9-5 job, bosses demand that their staff work overtime and weekends without extra compensation.  Workday extensions are not imposed so as to meet important deadlines – extended hours and days are for pet projects.  The governor of La Paz, Cesar Cocarico, forces his employees to attend speeches, marches, and award presentations.  Workers must attend these in their free time, although there is no mentioned of these events in any job contract.  Prior to any ceremony hosted in the government offices, Cocarico locks the exit doors so that subordinates cannot leave.  He provides no advanced notice of these events for workers to plan ahead.  The governor docks pay for two or three full working days for any missed extracurricular activity, even if they last only an hour.  When landslides ravaged La Paz this weekend and destroyed many community homes, the governor took funds directly from the paychecks of his public employees as “mandatory donations.”  Although it’s for a good cause, looting the paycheck of employees is not the way to raise funds.  Objectors of any internal policy are fired on the spot without explanation (often times illegally) – and without any support from their fearful peers.

In the US, unions protect against these abuses. Organized labor fights for workers rights and provides a balance of power between bosses and employees.  US democracy functions because Congress and the Supreme Court ensure that the President doesn’t overstep his authority.  Unions provide the same checks and balances for all other societal domains: from businesses to public posts to politics.  It's game theory when unions defend workers from the downward wage competition the bourgeoisie would prefer.  When conservatives saturated political campaigns this year, the only viable counteract came from unions.  Unions fight for equal rights and protect workers.  They prevent abuses from those seeking to exploit laborers.

Union bashers claim that states’ budgets run dry because of the overreaching power of greedy, organized workers.  This couldn’t be further from the truth.  Have you ever heard of a teacher’s salary as anything other than measly?  How about a lawyer joining the DA for the pay?  Poorly run governments are using the union scapegoat to promote conservative agendas.  Responsible states should tax the fortunate to raise funds.  Instead they are eliminating the bargaining power of organized labor.  Americans with short-term memories forget the plights of the early 1900s when robber barons hired goons to beat workers into submission so that labor costs would remain low and profit margins high.  The US was a two-class society.  If union bashers in Wisconsin and across America succeed, without having unions to protect workers, the US will devolve to become just another Bolivia.

For a great Op-Ed on the need for Unions, read Bob Herbert's, "Unintended, but Sound Advice."

No Unions for Bolivian Public Workers