Meat…the worker!
Written by: (Contributed) on 14 October 2024
Above: Meatworkers' union at Brisbane Labor Day rally
The following statement from a meat worker was posted to the reddit internet platform. We are reposting it because it is a powerful statement about the class structure of capitalist Australia. The general resides in the particular: this one workers’ awakening is true of many workers whose next step is to find and join the revolutionary party of the working class – eds.
When I started to read about socialism a lot of things started making sense.
I work in a meat factory, and I've experienced first hand how the capitalist system is unbalanced. We do 12-14 hour days, and our bodies are wrecked.
I work primarily in small goods production, and my back is already at a point where I can feel it deteriorating as is my right shoulder, from all the heavy lifting of 20 - 30kg tubs of meat, and I'm only 31.
The older, experienced butchers though… man, their hands are completely mangled. All have carpel tunnel syndrome. All need to have buckets of hot water on standby to dunk their hands in just to numb the pain of their repetitive work. We are, quite literally, wrecking our bodies to earn a pittance to just live in society and get by.
Meanwhile, the bosses are millionaires with giant houses, expensive cars and $700 pairs of RM Williams'.
Then I factor in that I am one of the luckier ones with a stable and full-time job, and that many are struggling in worse financial situations than myself.
Working here these last few years is what has slowly built my interest in socialism. I was completely apolitical before, but now I have experienced first hand how flawed capitalism is, and how unsustainable it is, and socialism seems to be the answer to me.
Exactly what kind of socialism, I am not sure yet.
Print Version - new window Email article
-----
Go back
Independence from Imperialism
People's Rights & Liberties
Community and Environment
Marxism Today
International
Articles
NSW Teachers Win New Award |
Book Review: Nature, Culture and Inequality |
Meat…the worker! |
Australia not so lucky country for migrant workers |
SA Ambo’s election shows workers want their unions to fight regardless of who holds office |
Workers' Struggle Goes Well Beyond "Protected Industrial Action" |
"When we stand together as the working class, our victory is assured” — ‘Line in the Sand’ rally, Melbourne, 18 September. |
All power to construction workers : CFMEU Sydney Rally |
Support grows for CFMEU |
CEPU exercises right-to-disconnect |
Book Review: The Invisible Doctrine - The Secret History of Neoliberalism (& How it Came to Control Your Life) |
What do wine industry and early childhood education workers have in common? |
“We’re fighting for something that’s so much bigger, so much bigger than any one person.”; Nine workers on five-day strike. |
Why is it so hard to get by? |
Class struggle at nuclear submarine site |
Save the nation’s natural resources for the people |
We swim in a toxic sea of capitalism. But we needn’t drown: Humphrey McQueen’s powerful new pamphlet on Capital launched |
Workers Take Action at Osborne Naval Base in South Australia |
What is this economic crisis? |
Free Palestine rally leads Melbourne May Day march |
-----