In exchange for accepting containerization, union workers shared in the wealth stemming from the boosted productivity -- gains that have made ILWU members some of the best-paid blue-collar workers in the world.
Annual wages ranged from $80,000 to $150,000 before the increases in the proposed contract.
We can now resume the bull market...
[I do not think salaries of such nature were available during the depression -g]
Techno will prevail...
___________________
Balllad of Ned Ludd
Old Ned Ludd was a feebleminded lad, and his father worked the loom in the Shire of Nottingham.
And it made him sad, one dream he only had, one day his son like he, a master weaver'd be.
And so Ned Ludd would stand where he could see the complex craftsmanship of his father's tapestry.
But though Ned watched his father all the day he could not tie his shoe, he was clumsier than you.
(I'm afraid its true)
When Ned was twelve Mr Riggles showed the men a marvelous device, a loom beyond their ken.
And he swore it'd change the weaving trade for good it did the work of three and it never paused for tea.
And it clattered and it clacked, and it whirred and turned and hacked.
Just then Ned Ludd came 'a running in the room he saw that power loom and he sensed impending doom, and we don't know why but Ned Ludd went awry, he screamed and had a fit and he crashed right into it.
And it shuddered and it fell. and the weaver's liked it well. |