The Ineffectiveness of Unionization in Iowa

Answer

The Ineffectiveness of Unionization in Iowa

            The plight of wage workers in the meat processing plants in Iowa cannot be underestimated. The workers are often placed under severe working conditions even as they are required to operate with low wages. As described by Deborah Fink in her book dubbed "Cutting Into the Meatpacking Line: Workers and Change in the Rural Midwest," wage workers have for a long time been required to operate for long hours, even as they are continually exploited in a deadly way (Fink, 2000). In recent times, it has become clear that the meat packaging companies have complete disregard for public health since despite the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic coupled with the fact that their workplaces have not made the necessary adjustments, workers are continually required to report to work. Based on the foregoing, this discussion will provide an analysis of the factors that have eroded the union's ability to represent the workers and the extent to which polyculturalism can be used as a 'practical index' to cure this anomaly.

            A significant factor that is said to have contributed to the erosion of the union's ability to represent workers in Iowa is industrial restructuring. Fink regard's industrial restructuring as a euphemism for what is in fact a process that has served to degrade the workplace from as far back as the 1980's (Fink, 2000). Restructuring is a process that conveniently sees to it that plant operations are downsized, high wage jobs are eliminated, employee rights and benefits are constricted, and the opportunity to have a long-term and stable employment eliminated (Fink, 2000). These factors cumulatively and gradually saw a decline in the union's ability to represent workers since the bargaining power of the employees was sufficiently curtailed. Since the employees were, for instance, not assured of a long-term and stable employment opportunity, they had to comply with the demands of their employers so that they can secure their ability to afford their basic needs. Of significance to note in this regard is that when an individual known as Oscar Mayer was the main employer in Iowa, wage workers experienced an economic high which was soon short-lived when he closed in 1989 (Fink, 2000). His closure was the entry of other players who did not prioritize on the employment conditions that the wage workers faced. This has remained the situation up until now, and these factors have cumulatively contributed to the erosion of the union's ability to represent wage workers.

            Another factor that has thwarted the union's ability to represent workers are the conservative belief systems that have become established in the region. Many of the independent farmers and stockmen hold the Jeffersonian belief which serves as a moral benchmark in the region (Fink, 2000). It has become apparent that the powers that are at play in Iowa have thwarted any attempts to upgrade the working conditions of blue collar workers in the region (Fink, 2000). This has simultaneously thwarted the union's ability to represent workers. This has especially remained so because of the fact that many of the workers who continually join the workforce are immigrants.

            It has been argued that polyculturalism is a practical index that can produce a humanity that is equal in some way thus leading to a democratic future. This argument has particularly been fronted by Vijay Prashad in a book titled "Everybody Was Kung Fu Fighting: Afro-Asian Connections and the Myth of Cultural Purity" (Prashad, 2002). Prashad notes that most people in America and in the world in general are products of a fusion of "different cultures" and as such they can largely be regarded as polycultural (Prashad, 2002, p. 23). This means that instead of permitting white supremacy and fronting the notion of multiculturalism (which is in fact a blanket term that does not serve to eliminate the unequal societal systems that exist in the world), it is important that individuals are viewed from a polycultural background. Polyculturalism is essentially premised on the belief that individuals should fully embrace and appreciate diversity. This argument by Prashad serves to compliment Fink's claim that a democratic future "entails planning by a widely diverse citizenry" (Fink, 2000, p. 68). Cultural diversity is an inescapable fact. This is particularly so in the current global environment that individuals live in on a daily basis. Due to technological innovations, individuals are able to interact with many cultures and this has meant that a majority of individuals derive their identity from different cultures. When polyculturalism is fully adopted, affirmative action and pro-immigrant policies will be embraced and this will lead to the creation of a more equal society.

            Polycuturalism will particularly assist in enhancing the effectiveness of unions as noted by Fink. This is because when this culture is fully embraced, it will compromise the legitimacy of conservative ideologies such as the Jeffersonian belief as alluded to above and the result is that more individuals will work towards aligning themselves with the changing times. Similarly, when pro-immigrant and affirmative action policies are passed, wage workers (such as the meat packagers in Iowa) will directly benefit. The unions will be more effective because they will have received the state's backing to protect the rights of the wage workers. Polyculturalism would essentially lead to the creation of a more democratic future and this would bolster the rights of wage workers while fostering the effectiveness of unions.

            The wage workers in Iowa have faced several challenges due to their exposure to severe working conditions. This is particularly so for those who work in meat processing plants. They are often required to operate for long hours, even as they are continually exploited in a deadly way. Factors that have contributed to this conditions include; industrial restructuring and the existence of conservative belief systems that are unfavorable to the wage workers. The solution to this problem is polyculturalism. Polyculturalism will assist in the creation of a more democratic future and this will serve to improve the effectiveness of unions.