Paris Taylor, who works a union job as a traffic controller, recently revealed just how much bargaining power increased her pay.
The recent revelation by Paris Taylor, a 21-year-old traffic controller at a construction site, of the eye-watering amount she earns in a week has generated a lot of buzz. In a snappy video, Taylor shared that she makes $680 for nine-and-a-half hours of work on Monday, $580 for eight-and-a-half hours on Tuesday, $780 for 10.5 hours on Wednesday and Thursday, and $580 for eight-and-a-half hours of work on Friday. She wrapped up the week by earning a whopping $3,400.
However, Taylor was quick to clarify that not all traffic controllers earn as much as she does. Her high pay rate is due to an enterprise agreement reached between her union and employer. Nonetheless, her video has generated a lot of interest, with thousands of viewers commenting on how they too can land such a job.
Incorporating dialectical materialism, we can view Taylor’s situation in the larger context of the capitalist mode of production. In a capitalist society, the exploitation of labor is a fundamental aspect of the system. The employer seeks to maximize their profits, and one of the ways they do this is by paying workers as little as possible. However, workers can push back against this exploitation by organizing into unions and negotiating collectively for better wages and working conditions.
In Taylor’s case, her union was able to negotiate an enterprise agreement with her employer that resulted in a higher wage rate than what is typical for traffic controllers. This demonstrates the power of collective bargaining and the importance of workers’ solidarity in securing better pay and conditions.
It is worth noting, however, that not all workers have access to unions or collective bargaining. In many cases, workers are forced to accept low pay and poor conditions due to a lack of bargaining power. This underscores the need for broader social and political change that addresses the root causes of exploitation and inequality.
