Unfair Wages

It is, in my opinion, a scandal that CEOs are now paid, on average almost a hundred times the wages of their employees. In the current world climate, where the developing world is consistently trodden on by the rich western businesses, whilst governments try and fail to counter the balance with charitable donations to Africa, we can be forgiven for forgetting that the trouble lies at home and not abroad. And who do I blame? I blame the unions!

Why? you may ask. Workers unions fill many good role, and I fully support much of the work they do. Their role as regards advocating for worker's rights is much needed and much appreciated, but their policy is all wrong. They campaign on behalf of their workers, but suffer from severe short-sightedness as evidenced by the stupidly over-payed CEOs compared to the under-payed (by comparison) worker majority.

Their reaction to working conditions is acceptable, but when it comes to pay they lack thought-out agenda and overall philosophy for the workers they represent. When a group of the workforce campaign for higher pay, they miss the real issue entirely. An under-payed workforce campaigns for more pay, yet this does not solve the issue but simply plays into the employers hands.

The capitalist model pays the workers the least amount possible whilst keeping the worker satisfied. This increases profits for the company, owned by shareholders and executives, who in turn benefit from increased profits; the workforce do not. The capitalist model has room to include the unions who, at best are just highly neglectful. An increase in wages, after union action, gives the impression that the workers have won and a fairer world has become that much closer, yet the numbers don't lie; CEO pay increases every year at a much higher percentage than the workforce in the same business. Union action that focuses on pay increases for their members acts as a panacea for the true unfairness that exists in the capitalist model.

The real issue can be solved quite easily however. Instead of campaigning for higher pay for their members, Unions must campaign for a wage policy similar in approach to Rawls' "difference principle" and a policy found in co-operative movements such as Mondragón. The highest earnings (including bonuses in a year) in an organisation must be no more than 10 times the lowest earnings in an organisation. If a company pays its lowest paid worker £14,000 a year, then the highest wage paid to any other member of the organisation cannot be larger than £140,000. This policy means that any wage increase to the top echelons of a company must also be met by wage increases at the bottom. It also acts to lessen the divide between the rich and the poor, and promotes fairness within an organisation. Unions must fight for this and not for a simple wage increase. Only by looking at the bigger picture can any attempt at an evolution in global workers rights be effected.

Bedouin and Illich

Bedouin was incredible. Very simple statement, very true.

If you have never been to the Concorde 2 in Brighton, then you should. It is a very very good venue. With a lift!

The place was packed, barely room to move. The gig started with Natty, who were fantastic not only as a band in their own right, but as a crowd-rouser too. At the start people weren't really moving, but very soon everyone was moving to their most excellent tunes. A few guys in front of me were, rather moronically, overly obsessed with the drummers name - but entertainment is entertainment and I'm no John Mill.

When Bedouin got on stage the crowd pit was so packed I felt slightly self-concious with the inevitable foot-stamping and shoulder-barging that marks a packed gig, but seeing as everyone's doing it it wasn't too bad.

I was mildly shocked at the smell of some powerful cannabis stench wafting from behind, but it's reggae so hardly that surprising. But with the dual ban of no smoking and no smoking cannabis, I certainly wasn't expecting it. Given the heavy sweat in the air, where every breath took in more moisture than oxygen, it was also slightly unfair; I don't like the smell of cannabis at the best of time, when my entire body is almost ready to pass-out, it's even less welcome.

Gig ended, my t-shirt itself was more sweat than cloth, so me and Emma went on a little expedition to the sea (with Ben following in support). Clothes off, and the feeling was almost spiritual. The move from being so hot that you are ready to faint, to being freezing is something that should be felt by everyone - my heart was pounding in my chest in danger of giving out!

Unfortunately we didn't measure the height of the waves when we jumped in and I was almost swept under twice (in case of which Ben had started undressing, the madman). Realising the danger I escaped unharmed from the claws of that cold grasp, and instantly felt a lot better - it's why I love living next to the sea.

Left the seaside, went to the All-night Diner and ate a MegaBuster. Did not feel well.

Awesome night.

Oh, and if anyone is reading these posts and have no idea who I am referring to when I talk about Ivan D. Illich and Energy and Equity, I would suggest going here:

Energy and Equity

And for music:
Natty
Bedouin Soundclash