I work in a factory, and the potential to move up to shift lead is all but given to me by my peers. Ive had several bosses and colleagues (who’s opinions and world views align with us) tell me I need to become the lead. The guy I would be inheriting this role from even says I’m the best fit.
However I ain’t trying to be some class traitor. I do like the thing we produce, it’s been a part of my life for my entire conscious existence. I’m a lucky sucker who followed their passion and while I’m a wage slave, seeing people, even if it is the upper class, deriving happiness from the things I make make me care about the things I produce. I do want to use this position to make the product and the workers lives better. Management already understands I side with labor more often than not.
I am really good at what I do and I have tons of issues believing in myself, but it’s hard to ignore the world telling you you got to do this.
I ain’t trying to be some class traitor
Then don’t be one! Relentlessly advocate for your people, be a constant thorn in the side of management, and be absolutely indispensable so that they have no choice but to keep you around. It’s a tough path to walk and many people are swallowed up by the system, but that doesn’t have to be you.
By the same token, just because you can walk that path, doesn’t mean you should feel obligated to. If you truly believe that you would be a bad fit for the post, or that the posting would fuck with you in some way, then you have every right to refuse it. I just want to point out that it won’t automatically be bad to be the shop lead.
I just pulled this the other day, a newer guy came to me and said he didn’t get paid for his first week, so I used my leverage as project lead and lead engineer to bully the owners to pay him out. Even found out that they did this to 4 other people in the office (quickly confirmed) and everyone got checks cut immediately.
That one act was enough to basically get everyone in the office on the same side and prepared for collective action in the future.
Being a lead gives you power, and if you use that power to listen to people and relentlessly advocate and make sure they’re all involved openly and directly in that process, eventually your role shifts from “manager” to “steward”
Labor is labor. Organization of labor means someone is the lead, but it’s still the same class. Unless you sign the paychecks, you’re still working class.
Promotions are petit bourgeois. No will not be taking questions
Bettering your material condition through advancement in the workplace is not being a class traitor. Your relationship to the means of production have not changed and unless you allow yourself to be used as the face of senior management for the purpose of discipline you’re still a worker.
