Today, American workers ― especially middle class and working class workers ― are being exploited, and they are aware of it. They know they’re a part of an employment system that has been granted permission, by government officials, to use them. They see and hear governors, senators, congressmen . . . who are against unions, ― organizations that are trying to protect workers’ pay and benefits ― being praised and rewarded for their stance against unions. American workers are working harder and harder for less and less. They are generating more and more profits for corporate America, whose motto has become “Take it or leave it ― and shut up!”
The question is “What can American workers do about it?” The answer is “American workers can do many brilliant things about it,” but these things are going to require the help of educators (from pre-school to graduate school), visionary leaders (in all occupations), and most importantly, the American workers.
Here is the first of the things that we need to do about it: We must change the concept of an “American worker.” Currently, it means someone who has the knowledge and skills to perform a specific job, works hard at his job, and have soft skills (responsible, honest, trustworthy, respectful . . .) that makes him employable. Although this concept is accurate, it needs to be expanded to include other qualities and qualifications of the American worker. For example, workers know the equipments that they’re using on their jobs better than anyone else. They often know how to make their equipments more efficient, more productive, and more durable. The same is true of workers in the service industries and other industries; they frequently know ways to improve service, cut costs ― increase profits! This literally means that every American worker has the potential to become an inventor, and innovator, and an entrepreneur ― things which he can accomplish through his own independent, assertive actions!
For these reasons, we need to change the concept of “the American worker” in a way that will strongly encourages all workers to begin look at their jobs as stepping stones to inventing, innovating, improving, and owning. Our goal should be “Help American workers to gain more control over their working lives and their socio-economic destiny!”
In tomorrow’s blog, I will discuss the roles, in my judgment that educators can and should play to help workers to develop this “new mind-set” ―of themselves as inventors, innovators and entrepreneurs.
