I think the more pro-capitalist view of unions would say that “one big union” is definitely a bad idea. The socialist or anarcho-syndicalist would likely see the one big union as a way to collectively fight the bosses, specifically in the context of class struggle. The communist or Marxist-Leninist would maybe say the union is a barrier to revolution by sustaining the class structure.
The biggest “one big union” org was/is the IWW or “wobblies” as they were known and it was their primary mission to unionize all workers under the IWW banner.
I can chime in as an anarcho-syndicalist! Personally, vanguard unions seem like a bad idea to me for the same reason as a vanguard party. I think unions should stick to their industry, and coordinate production between industries, i.e. the union representing a factory making zippers coordinates with the union representing a factory making pants to make sure all pants have zippers.
I’m not strictly opposed to a vanguard union because I don’t think it would have the same potential for harm, however. Hell, I’m a member of the IWW. I just generally feel like production would be far less wasteful if the workers can project their voice through their union without meeting internal resistance from members outside their industry.
That makes a lot of sense I always found it interesting how anarcho-syndicalists supported the idea of one entity although it makes a damn good slogan and is a strong ideological point. They’ve also gone against the idea of competing unions in one industry which is always good.
What sort of things is the IWW up to now? I believe they sponsor union drives and offer resources, I’d almost consider joining as a way to donate to that since I’m already in a union its just that the AFL-CIO seems to legislatively own unions now. Bought some stuff from the IWW web store though which is amazingly well stocked. Utah Phillips and some of that music was in my house a lot growing up, definitely Seeger as well since my mother was a Christian Socialist.
