Introduction
The power or employers to dictate to workers is hardly confined to Canada, of course. Various countries dominated by the class of employers have the right to dictate to workers except as limited by the collective agreement (and, of course, certain legislative acts).
Collective Agreement Between the American School Trust Ltd., a.k.a. Singapore American School and the Education Services Union
Collective agreements often–though by no means always–contain clauses that express the real power of employers and their representatives (management). Such is the case in the collective agreement between the American School Trust Ltd., a.k.a. Singapore American School and the Education Services Union, from July 1, 2008 to June 30, 2011.
From page 5:
CLAUSE 7 RECOGNITION OF THE SCHOOL
Subject to clause 6 of this Agreement –
(a) the Union recognizes the rights of the School to control, operate and manage all the affairs of its business; and(b) the Union and the School agree that the Board of Governors has the exclusive right to formulate, modify or approve School policy. This Board, with the advice of its administrative officials, also retains the right to initiate policy proposals or amendments at its discretion.
Where does this managerial power come from? Why is there little or no discussion concerning such power? Or does it not matter for determining the kind of lives we lead?
Since this clause forms part of the collective agreement, does the collective agreement express a fair contract? Does it express the freedom of workers? Does it express a democratic way of life or its opposite? Does it express economic democracy? Economic dictatorship? Economic justice?
There is nothing fair about collective agreements which concentrate most decision-making power over our work lives in the hands of the representatives of employers called managers. Collective agreements limit such power–but they do not by any means challenge such power. Indeed, they do not challenge the dicatorship of employers (see for example Employers as Dictators, Part One). Nor do they challenge the use of human beings as things that are treated as means for other people’s ends.
The law certainly does not prevent the exploitation and oppression of workers; workers may be able to use the law to limit their exploitation and oppression–but not abolish them.
Does this collective agreement express a “fair contract?” “Decent work?” What do you think? Why?
The Abolitionary 