… is because the worst case scenario is that they scale back their bullshit after the fact. Like an abusive boyfriend that promises to do better next time, why would they try to be good in the first place if they can see how much abuse they can get away with first?
Things won’t get better until there’s real consequences. Imagine that instead of a strike, 90% of the staff resigned at once, and all the related unions boycotted that store after? Imagine if real financial damage was done to abusive companies and their real estate and unsold products were left to rot?
The model of scaring companies into the negotiating table is inherently flawed. Letting them get their labor back in exchange for the equivalent of a cost of living increase is not a sustainable model. The workers will always be perpetually behind; chasing after wages and benefits they should’ve gotten years if not decades ago.
Unfortunately, collective action depends on the collective. Individuals are selfish and easily scared into submission. Further, human beings are highly adaptable and become accustomed to their mistreatment and accept it. Until workers achieve true solidarity and act collectively in their class interests, it will be a simple act of divide and conquer for the corporate interests.