Consensus and Promotion

Submitted by RxDelta on h, 05/05/2008 - 2:09am.
So my job right now is looking for new supervisors, and I'm the most logical candidate...minus my politics. The thing is I kind of want the job, because I'm good at what I do, and could make a difference by injecting some solidarity into the status quo. So I've been going to everyone and asking for their consent, and it's very nearly unanimous. My concern, however, is with being the 'boss'. Deep down I'm afraid that however altruistic my intentions, I'll end up alienating my fellow workers and becoming a 'boss'. Should I continue this effort? Am I selling out? I'm trying to view this as a sort of organizing campaign, because if I am in a position to make decisions things would be more in favor of the rank and file, but I'd no longer be rank and file myself. What should I do????

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Cosh Says:
h, 05/05/2008 - 3:00am
cosh sez, : When beset by fear and doubt: Run in circles. Scream and shout. Take the job, fellow worker. You can always quit before everybody decides to march on your house carrying torches and pitchforks. You might find that the inertia of the whole scene makes it so you can't make a dent in it despite your best efforts. In that case you can either go along to get along, or write a fiery resignation letter. It may help if you consider yourself as a shop steward, one who listens to what the other workers want, and strives to make that real. You can be the representative in representative democracy.It's when you think you know better than anyone else about whatever that you are in danger of manifesting hubris. Stay open, don't lose your perspective. Or your sense of humor. There's an old British labour song: The Working Class can kiss my ass, I've got the foreman's job at last.... that addresses your dilemma. Good luck. Maybe you can help organize a union shop there.....
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pghwob Says:
k, 05/06/2008 - 10:52pm
I think you ask a good question. We have had a number of members before who, due to complicated circumstances, took out a withdrawal card and assumed the position of a supervisor. But I think before you take this position you should figure out how this is going to build real power for you and your co-workers. If you leave this position a few months from now, are workers going to be in a position to exercise greater power? It is possible your co-workers may come to expect being included in the decision-making process and if you leave then they will have some greater expectations of the next supervisor...but I think just as much they may be in a position to simply get a new and better boss rather than exercise more control directly for themselves. I think the more effective long-term thing to do would be to organize your co-workers to be able to exert greater influence in the workplace as a group. I think this would be done most effectively as a rank-and-file worker. As a supervisor, you may actually give-up some organizing rights.
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