Labor Unions in the Frontier

Karxan's picture
Karxan
December 3, 2012 - 11:03pm
I work in a Union facility and have my own view as management about Unions. But I was thinking Work/Star Frontiers, then I remembered the movie Screemers. there was a war between the Company and the Union over the planet which resulted in the situation in the movie.

So, My question is, Is there a Labor Union in the Frontier?

Is the Union it's own kind of Mega-Corp?

Humans of course would have these I would think.

Yazirians may or may not, but with the clan system I would think this was sort of against the idea of the clan.

Vrusk would probably think this was one more alien concept from those pesky humans. You work for your company and that is what is important, at least more than the individual.

Dralasite, hmm, who really knows what they would do. I think they would see it as something to work with. A dral would make a good union rep though.

Osakar business practices may fall in the line with the vrusk, being clone-ish. Actually they may have a kind of union because equality is so essential to their society as well as individualism, they may have an organization that makes sure the balance is kept in their business'.

Ifshnit should have some kind of Labor Union. They are merchants and require manufacturing to support that so I could see them having some type of labor protection in their society.

The Humma would probably just beat each other up as a way to resolve business disputes so I don't think they would have anything like a union. "Be nice to your fellow humma." Not likely.

We cannot forget w00t and his robotic Labor Union either. It is probably a Mechanon cult worshiping group, but still......?

Just some ideas that were bouncing around in my head.

Would a mega-corp put up with a strike or hire MerCo to come in a put it down? Now there is an adventure plot ripe with strife.
Comments:

jedion357's picture
jedion357
December 4, 2012 - 3:44am
I think labor unions would be classified as a cadre. The Brotherhood of Spacers is probably a fusion of fraternal brotherhood and labor union.
I might not be a dralasite, vrusk or yazirian but I do play one in Star Frontiers!

rattraveller's picture
rattraveller
December 4, 2012 - 9:22am
one thing we tend to forget is that the upf is a confederation of individual states i like the racial breakdown of opinions on labor unions but think it would really be a planet by planet determination thinking multiracial planets wouldand those under upf control would be more likely to have them while others like megacorp planets would not   also dock stations, rest and recreation stations and trader station would have them while the planet they are over may not
Sounds like a great job but where did you say we had to go?

jedion357's picture
jedion357
December 4, 2012 - 11:12am
Agreed. In particular a mega corp like star play ought to be credited with most of the Resort stations in the frontier and it would likely have unions in play. Not every business is going to have labor unions either and it could be entirely possible that a corporation my have unions at facilities on one planet but not on the next.
I might not be a dralasite, vrusk or yazirian but I do play one in Star Frontiers!

rattraveller's picture
rattraveller
December 4, 2012 - 5:45pm
Yes I agree with Star Play running the Rest and Relaxation Stations. Thinking they are like the one in the first revamped season of Doctor Who which not only had fun, fun, fun but also controlled the television and radio broadcasts. Will include that when I get to Star Play.
Sounds like a great job but where did you say we had to go?

rattraveller's picture
rattraveller
December 4, 2012 - 5:51pm
Karxan wrote:
"Would a mega-corp put up with a strike or hire MerCo to come in a put it down? Now there is an adventure plot ripe with strife."

I would say yes if they think they can get away with it. Maybe quick strikes to take out the Leadership and the lone Star Law Marshall trying to stop the violence.

Might even start with Merco employees armed with fists breaking up union meetings. That is how things started in Germany in the 20s. (The fists part not the mercenaries)
Sounds like a great job but where did you say we had to go?

jedion357's picture
jedion357
December 4, 2012 - 8:56pm
I think labor unions act or function different int he Frontier, perhaps not as effectively as they have on Earth. With the multiplicity of species that have vastly different outlooks and attitudes getting everyone to join the union will be tough. Yeah, yeah I onced worked at a Teamsters shop and to work there you had to join the union but really, are you going to tell a yazirian that doesn't want to that he has to join the union?

Not only that I still think that unions in the Frontier are going to be more like fraternal orders much like the Brotherhood of Spacers.
I might not be a dralasite, vrusk or yazirian but I do play one in Star Frontiers!

rattraveller's picture
rattraveller
December 5, 2012 - 6:05pm
OK I have been giving this some thought and think we need to go with more than the usual groups:

1) Unions: Some planets have them and while megacorps are a favorite of them and the megacorps trying to keep them out they are more effective against the medium and small corps and the subsidiaries of the megacorps. Some are very powerful while others hardly due anything and some "youse guys need to be a payin them dues, cause ya union is for ya the lil guy"

2) Brotherhoods (Sisterhoods, Beinghoods, Podmates, Clutchfriends, Sporefriends): are groups that work to support each other especially among the far flung and/or travelling groups and trades. They are also of varying degrees of fame, imfamy, effectiveness, support and assistance. But no one ever crosses the League of Carnival Workers.

3) Guilds: These are more overwatch groups that ensure standards are met. Anyone stamped with their approval is a true craftsman. They also give support to their members.
Sounds like a great job but where did you say we had to go?

JCab747's picture
JCab747
October 19, 2016 - 5:30pm
rattraveller wrote:
OK I have been giving this some thought and think we need to go with more than the usual groups:

1) Unions: Some planets have them and while megacorps are a favorite of them and the megacorps trying to keep them out they are more effective against the medium and small corps and the subsidiaries of the megacorps. Some are very powerful while others hardly due anything and some "youse guys need to be a payin them dues, cause ya union is for ya the lil guy"

2) Brotherhoods (Sisterhoods, Beinghoods, Podmates, Clutchfriends, Sporefriends): are groups that work to support each other especially among the far flung and/or travelling groups and trades. They are also of varying degrees of fame, imfamy, effectiveness, support and assistance. But no one ever crosses the League of Carnival Workers.

3) Guilds: These are more overwatch groups that ensure standards are met. Anyone stamped with their approval is a true craftsman. They also give support to their members.


Ah, some good stuff to use!
Joe Cabadas