Bargaining Quote by Saul Alinsky
“The organized labor movement as it is constituted today is as much a concomitant of a capitalist economy as is capital. Organized labor is predicated upon the basic premise of collective bargaining between employers and employees. This premise can obtain only for an employer-employee type of society. If the labor movement is to maintain its own identity and security, it must of necessity protect that kind of society.”
About This Quote
Source Book: Rules for Radicals, 1971
Labor’s power depends on a capitalist framework that enables employer‑employee relations; preserving that system protects labor’s identity.
In simple terms: Labor needs capitalism to exist; protecting it keeps labor strong.
Key Takeaway
Support structures that sustain employer‑employee dynamics.
Themes
labor
capitalism
collective bargaining
identity
economics
Mood
critical
strategic
Type
theoretical
persuasive
When to use this quote
- union negotiations
- policy advocacy
- workplace organizing
- community education
Key Concepts
social movement theory
class relations
political economy
Questions to Reflect On
- What alternatives exist for labor outside capitalist structures?
- How can labor adapt if economic systems change?
A Different Perspective
Over‑reliance on capitalism can limit labor’s broader transformative goals.
