I’m finding it hard to sympathize with either the UAW or Hollywood strikes. Why? Because they both make crap. When was the last time you watched a great movie or TV show? I’m rewatching 15 year old movies and TV series because everything recent is crap. They’re poorly written and poorly acted. How about UAW cars? Do any GM, Ford or Stellantis cars make the top of any reliability lists? Ford doesn’t even make cars any longer. I have an 8 year old Lincoln MKZ. It has had 6 recalls – 3 serious ones – in the 5 years that I’ve owned it.
If you want more money or benefits, make better products. UAW will argue that it starts with executives and engineers. Really? The guys assembling this crap don’t have any outlets to call out the crap? Please. I spent a long time in manufacturing (not cars). There are opportunities where the people making stuff can help improve the products.
Movies and TV suck. Look at what they did to Star Wars, Star Trek and Indiana Jones. They’ve destroyed other franchises too. Does anyone want to see another superhero movie? Name a funny comedy from the last five years.
I had a new microwave installed yesterday. The guy came in, took out the old one and popped in the new one in about 15 minutes. It was nice – no muss or fuss for me. It was the best $139 that I’ve spent in a long time. He deserves more money because he does great work in a short amount of time.
Know who should strike? Dental Hygienists. They have an essential unappreciated job. Imagine staring into people’s mouths all day long while hunched over. They have to deal with halitosis, biters, screamers, whiners and staring at nose hair all day long. Do you think that the PE firms buying dental practices are going to give them raises?
So make better cars and better art. Yeah, capital has been screwing labor since we financialized everything 40 years ago. It still isn’t an excuse to demand more money for crappy work. Try going back to school and become a dental hygienist. See what real work and talent is like.