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"Unskilled labour" is a capitalist myth used to justify poverty wages. (sh.itjust.works)

submitted 7 months ago by cyu to c/unions

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https://mastodon.social/@peterjriley2024/111786893513746272

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[–] [email protected] -3 points 7 months ago* (last edited 7 months ago) (1 children)

i agree with everything you've written here. we don't need a new term. i propose eliminating 'unskilled labour' from our collective vocabulary, because some people who aren't completely far gone would stand to benefit from recognising this term as you put it: a slogan. i'm not saying i expect a huge amount of effort on this front. no campaigns, just awareness.

i don't disagree with what you've written here; i'm disagreeing with your point in the GP, that:

The distinction is necessary.

it's a concept that i believe is only useful to the managerial class (and other hierarchists). it isn't constructive in labour organising.

[–] mindbleach 4 points 7 months ago

The distinction is literally life and death, sometimes. I don't call it necessary just because I think it's neat.

The most ardent outright anarchists still need to distinguish jobs anyone can kinda do versus jobs with intense risk, impact, and/or time pressure. This is that term. You can pick a different one - but you cannot get rid of the concept, unless you want surgeons and architects who keep saying "oops."