Jim Devine wrote: >I didn't say that the slaves got worse off due to freedom. In the US, the >case which I'm most familiar with, they definitely better off (at least in >the short run), as their work hours per year fell significantly (according >to Ransom & Sutch). My point was that the shift from slavery to freedom is >a mixed blessing. Some things -- like security -- are often lost. This is a good point. It is often assumed that a move towards a more formally or legally equal relationship from a relationship with asymmetrical power dynamics is a good thing. This is not always the case. I got the following in the mailbox from the AFL-CIO which gave me pause. My roommate, a temp worker, takes pride in the fact that he "works for himself." Never mind the fact that his employers don't provide health insurance or a pension plan. Also, when I used to deliver food, many of my coworkers had the same feelings about being "independent contractors." All of which goes to show that "formal" equality often obscures class, race and gender exploitation. <fontfamily><param>Tahoma</param><bigger>From: "Atwork Account" <<[EMAIL PROTECTED]> To: Undisclosed-recipients Date: Mon, 26 Apr 1999 17:33:40 -0400 Subject: Work in Progress, April 26, 1999 Work in Progress, April 26, 1999 BILL SEEKS END TO CONTRACTOR SCAM--Bipartisan legislation to end the practice of misclassifying workers as independent contractors was introduced in the U.S. House of Representatives last week. Many employers misclassify workers to avoid paying billions of dollars in local, state and federal income taxes, Social Security and Medicare taxes and unemployment insurance. The workers are forced to pay both their share and the employers share of Social Security and Medicare; they seldom enjoy health or pension benefits or the protection of most labor laws, including those covering employment discrimination, safety and health and the right to organize unions. The Independent Contractors Classification Act is the first of several AFL- CIO-backed bills to be introduced to address so-called alternative work arrangements, such as hiring temporary, "perma-temps" and part-time workers. </bigger></fontfamily> ________________________________________________________ NetZero - We believe in a FREE Internet. Shouldn't you? Get your FREE Internet Access and Email at http://www.netzero.net/download.html
