Sydney R - Norma Rae

Based on the inequities seen in the film, it is clear that there are benefits to regulated markets and industries, however, it seems optimistic to rely on the government or marketplace to ensure the success of labor.  The employees at the textile industry portrayed in the film were not getting any help from anyone before Reuben came in and educated them about the power of a union.  The marketplace was exploiting them because they knew they could and the government was likely unaware of the situation or, like the employers, did not care.  Luckily, the union serves as a safeguard for employees who are not treated fairly.  It also allows for the employees to have direct influence on what will happen next.  This was very important for the characters in the movie because they did not have much control over their work life to begin with.  They were also all pretty stubborn and burnt out from a lifetime of grueling work but once they saw the value of banding together towards better circumstances, they realized they had more control than they thought.  Even today, workers are still not receiving the treatment that they deserve.  As expressed in this week's articles, the main issue is being underpaid.  Long hours and better working conditions are slowly improving but wages have stayed relatively low, especially compared to how much the cost of living has increased.  I know that I have a misconception that unions are an old trend that are not necessary anymore and factory jobs are less common now so working conditions should not be as dangerous.  However, I have had work experiences of my own within the last year that I know for a fact were unfair and unsafe.  In big corporations it is hard to be seen and have an impact but even in smaller, family-owned businesses it can be hard to gather resources to fight for what is right.

The many roles that working women in these industries at the time were also highlighted in this film.  The film is set in the late seventies, when people were still warming up to women working while also having families.  Poor women, such as Norma Rae, would always have to work but I think even the men in her life did not quite understand the hardship of having so many different responsibilities at once.  Norma's numerous previous lovers are displayed throughout the film and each of them (even her husband) demand her time attention like whiny children.  They are unable to empathize with all of the other stressors she has to deal with in her life that they will never have to face.  



Comments

  1. Catherine BolzendahlMarch 6, 2023 at 3:45 PM

    Certainly unions are at a low point and concerns over worker protections are coming to the forefront. With the difficulty in getting unions organized, what are other options?

    ReplyDelete

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