As it continues to deteriorate, it will bring more misery, insecurity and hardship to the people. The working class, including all those who work for a wage or salary, whether presently employed or not, comprises over 90 percent of our nation. It does all of the necessary and useful labor of society, and, as such, has the potential power to bring about social change, if it understands its power, and organizes itself accordingly. The union is the ideal vehicle which, if correctly structured, would not only be able to defend workers interests on a day to day basis while capitalism lasts, but would be the central means by which to build a new social and economic system responsive to the needs of the people. Marx told the workers of all countries to unite, that they have nothing to lose but their chains.
Capitalism is big, powerful, and, above all, international.
With less than 13 percent in unions in the U.S., it is imperative that workers begin to build a truly effective union movement here, and, at the same time, form alliances and encourage union building throughout the world. They must return to the principles that formed the basis of early unionization, namely, the class struggle. This time, however, they must build a union to challenge the capitalist system. This time, workers must understand the mistakes of the past. They must be clear as to the form, goal, and tactics of the new union movement.