The vital function that labor unions continue to play in ensuring that workers' needs are fully addressed. The terrible working conditions that employees endure over the past ten years have led to a variety of types of mistreatment, with a significant portion of them not knowing what to do (Tait, 2016). The maltreatment that workers endured is what led to the growth of labor unions. The intention was to make sure that the workers' pain was treated in a suitable manner.
Employees still confront difficulties, despite great effort being made to ensure that the problems they face were resolved. Notable problems include poor working conditions, low pay, unfair treatment, racism, representation and discrimination on different grounds. Despite the problems faced by workers, most of them were courageous enough to address the issue by deciding to form a labor union that would be helpful in dealing with the problems they were facing at the time.
The films Matewan and F.I.S.T depict the rise of labor unions and their impact on working practices. The films show cast real problems faced by workers and some of the solutions used in addressing the issues. The plot of the two films follows a sequential pattern outlining the individual concerns of workers and how they ended up forming unions that would later champion for their rights. Further, the activities of the film are a depiction of the happenings in real life situations as pertains to labor issues. The narrative of the films informs on the direction of the labor unions and how they have come to influence working practices in the current world. The critique will follow on the labor working class and its ideology.
The labor class depicts individuals employed to undertake various manual jobs in exchange for a reward which is wages (Rose, & Harrison, 2014). People in this category engage in various kinds of jobs including the blue-collar, white-collar and the service-work. Most of those in the working class depend on wages earned from their activities. However, the definition of the term working-class varies. According to the concept presented in Marxism, the working class includes individuals who provide both physical and mental labor for the production of economic value for owners of the particular means of production. Further, Marxist theory defines the working class as the unemployed or individuals who are extremely poor. The films present a perfect perception of the concept of working class (Gilbert, 2014).
In Matewan, those hired to do work seem not to have a stable form of employment. They have been depicted as being dependent on the jobs assigned to them for a source of income. It is out of such sentiments that they are seen to be mistreated by the supervisor. Despite efforts by the labor union to address the issues including low pay and not being compensated for overtime, the workers are dismissed. It is an unfortunate decision since it further illustrates the lack of strength in the labor unions to fight for what is right. The plight of the workers is not addressed despite evidence of mistreatment by the management. The same issue is presented in the film F.I.S.T where coal workers are protesting against the tough working conditions and the need to form a union that would be used to help address the problem affecting them. Such efforts are however met by harsh feedbacks including the decision by the management to import workers who would opt to join a labor union. The decision to import other workers is further a confirmation of the fact that employees do not have a choice. The ideology of labor working class is evident since they are merely presented as means of enhancing economic production to the benefit of the employer or the management. In return, the employees are subjected to conditions where they have to sacrifice their physical and mental labor in a bid to earn a wage.
The ideology of working class is carried along in the two films Matewan and F.I.S.T both of which have their perception on the issue. Regardless, there is evidence to the aspect of prominence in the ideological perspective of the working class. The following evaluation will focus on the concept concerning the two films.
Ideology of Working Labor
The fundamental ideology of labor focuses on its understanding. Labor can be viewed from different perspectives both from the union's view and a business view. In the business perspective, employers are seen as having the right to make crucial decisions and view labor as a commodity just like any other. However, from a union perspective, workers have the right to decide on wages and conditions. The labor unionists do not view labor as a commodity but as an essential part of the person's identity. The bottom-line is the need to understand what labor is. As depicted, there are two ideological perspectives which include the business and Unionist view. The business people view labor as something that can be sold, and the reward for the same is wages. However, workers acknowledge labor as being an integral aspect of the individual.
The two films Matewan and F.I.S.T illustrate the concept of the ideology of working labor. In Matewan, the employer is seen making the decisions pertaining to how the business should be run. For example, the supervisor indicates the terms of working which include not being paid for overtime and pay cuts for any damage on goods belonging to the business. This is a reflection of the concept of the ideology of working labor but from the business perspective. However, the workers protest the ideology of working labor from the business perspective as they understand that labor is not a commodity that should be sold but identifies one's identity as a human being. It is out of such understanding that the workers are seen protesting against their mistreatment. The views of the two groups are a reflection of the ideological working conditions.Similarly, the film F.I.S.T depicts the ideology of working labor from both perceptions. For example, the employers decide that the workers cannot form labor unions because they are paid for services they render. They are not allowed to decide on their fate because they are earning wages out of the services they provide. The management has made it clear that the decision to form or join a labor union will be a call for the replacement. However, it is essential to acknowledge that it is the view of the employers at the coal mine because they own the business. However, unionists, with the understanding that labor serves as an identity of an individual decide to form a union that will help in fighting for the rights of the people. The decision to do so is guided by the fact that they acknowledge the need to uphold the fundamental rights of workers. It is out of such sentiments that measures are adopted to have all those feeling frustrated by the employer to join a labor union. However, the employer, viewing labor from a business perspective decides to take action that entails replacing striking workers and those considering joining the labor union with those got from Atlanta-Alabama. However, the inherent workers protest such a move since it reflects a lack of respect for the employees. They attack those coming to replace them because it can be seen as a measure of their identity being taken away.
The concept of Marxism
Marxism developed a doctrine based on the concept that class struggle was the primary agency of historical change and capitalism is inevitably superseded by a classless society. Karly categorizes people into different social classes that are used to describe them. The concept of Marxism is evident in the two films Matewan and F.I.S.T as workers have been put into a particular class. Specifically, the workers are seen to be belonging to a particular social class. The employers, are portrayed as capitalists because they are the ones owning the means of production. Because of the same, they are in charge with the mandate of making decisions on various issues that are related to their business. For example in F.I.S.T, there is evidence suggesting that employers make the decision and affirm to them since they are the capitalists. Coal miners belong to a lower social class and they are used to advance the economic activities. They have little or no authority over what happens at the mines. The same concept is depicted in Matewan where workers belong to a particular social class which is lower than that of the employer. Because of the same, it is a challenge to agitate for the rights of workers since they are not the owners of the means of production. Karl Marx would categorize them as not being the capitalists.
Racism
Discrimination on the grounds of racism at the workplace has been a common occurrence for decades. Workers have often faced cases of being discriminated against because they belong to a different racial class. Notably, the African Americans have felt the pinch of being discriminated against by their fellow counterparts. In F.I.S.T the concept of racism is manifested where workers from Atlanta-Alabama face discrimination as they are attacked while they were going to replace the striking workers. Ordinarily, it would be expected that workers would embrace each other because of the common plight and concerns that they have. However, that is not depicted as the native coal mining workers unleash their anger on African Americans. Even though the decision may be guided by the fact that their jobs are at stake, it would be worth considering the interplay of race in the issue. They were probably attacked because of their color. The issue of race is however not eminent in the film Matewan. Workers do not depict the issue of race since they all seem to be united on the issue of mistreatment by the employer.
Structuralism
The concept of structuralism focuses on intellectual movement and approaches to human sciences. The issue has had a fundamental impact on sociology, linguistic and anthropology (Sheriff, 2014). In relating the concept of structuralism to labor unions and the two films, the focus may be on the understanding of the definition of labor. The understanding of the concept of language is critical in ensuring that the ideals of labor are understood within the framework of both labor unions and business owners. The two films F.I.S.T and Matewan, do not depict in detail the issue of structuralism. Specifically, there is need to ensure that before the aspect of labor unions are described in detail, it is critical to have an understanding of the same since it would form the basis of comprehending the labor practices in time as depicted in the films. Unfortunately, the issue is not profound in the two films. Because of the same, it would be a challenge ascribing structuralism to the two films. The films have therefore not illustrated the issue of structuralism as relates to labor unions.
Feminism
Feminism focuses on advocacy for the rights of women. The focus is on ensuring that there is equal treatment of both sexes. Despite the relevance of feminism with regard to the labor unions, the issue is not entirely depicted in the two films. The main characters in both F.I.S.T and Maatewan are primarily male. The unionists in the two films are fighting for better working conditions for all the workers. However, it is essential to acknowledge the efforts presented by the labor unionists in a bid to gain better working conditions for the employees, both men, and women (Besamusca, Tijdens, Keune, & Steinmetz, 2015). The effects would trickle down to employees both women and men included.
Hegemony
Hegemony focuses on the aspect of dominance or leadership by one social group against the other. Indeed, the concept of hegemony is depicted in the two films both from the reflection of social class and leadership (Keck & Sikkink, 2014). In both films, there is the issue of leadership. Labor unions could only realize their objectives in the presence of sound leadership. For example, in Matewan, the leaders decide to form a union that would be used to champion for the rights of the workers. The characters in the film decide to unite under one leader who would be responsible for agitating the rights of workers. Indeed, the film depicts the concept of hegemony since it reflects on leadership.Similarly, the aspect of dominance is reflected in both films about the concept of hegemony. Notably, the employers both at the coal mines and the business in both film depict dominance since each wield their power against the workers. For example, dominance in F.I.S.T is depicted when the employers decide that any member who opts to join a union will be replaced. That is a reflection of hegemony. The same issue is manifested in Matewan as the dominant nature of employers is shown when they set the terms of working conditions against the will of employees.
Conclusion
Overall, it is essential to acknowledge the role of labor unions in agitating for the rights of the workers. The films have been crucial in bringing out the plight of employees and how such events led to the rise of labor unions. Because of the same, it is critical to appreciate the role of both F.I.S.T and Matewan in illustrating the role of labor unions in history and how they have become relevant today.
References
Tait, V. (2016). Poor worker’s unions: Rebuilding labor from below (completely revised and updated edition). Haymarket Books.
Rose, D., & Harrison, E. (Eds.). (2014). Social class in Europe: An introduction to the European socio-economic classification. Routledge.
Gilbert, D. (2014). The American class structure in an age of growing inequality. Sage Publications.
Besamusca, J., Tijdens, K., Keune, M., & Steinmetz, S. (2015). Working women worldwide. Age effects in female labor force participation in 117 countries. World Development, 74, 123-141.
Keck, M. E., & Sikkink, K. (2014). Activists beyond borders: Advocacy networks in international politics. Cornell University Press.
Sheriff, J. K. (2014). The fate of meaning: Charles Peirce, structuralism, and literature. Princeton University Press.
