2.7 Labor Markets

2.7 Labor Markets

We support repeal of all laws which impede the ability of any person to find employment. We oppose government-fostered forced retirement. We support the right of free persons to associate or not associate in labor unions, and an employer should have the right to recognize or refuse to recognize a union. We oppose government interference in bargaining, such as compulsory arbitration or imposing an obligation to bargain.

This plank is properly named, but misleading none the less. This plank is not so much about labor, but about the right to free association. The Libertarian Party believes that all people have the right to associate, in business or socially, with whomever they choose for whatever reasons compel them. While this may, in rare extreme situations, lead to the free expression of discrimination, consider the alternative.

If people who wish to associate are not allowed by government edict then all that has been accomplished is the government using its might to refuse people their rights.

If people who do not wish to associate are forced too, then the government has again used its might to overpower the free will of the participants.

On the surface this may seem absurd, and indeed it is, but it happens daily in the USA. The right of free association is an expression of free will. Thus both parties must consent to association, for if either objects then only force could compel the objector to accept the situation.

This happens in daily life when employers are forced to hire people they do not wish to hire, such as in the case of some union labor situations. This is the example of both rights being violated. Not only is the employers right to free association violated by being required to hire a union employee against his will, but the non-union applicants are also denied their rights as they wish to be employed but are disallowed.

Not only do these violations extend to requirements of association, but they also cross into freedom of speech. The government has no right to impose its will and force either employer or union to negotiate. The government overpowers the freewill of participants in these cases.

These are not trivial violations of no consequence to the individual. Not only can individuals seeking employment be victimized, but the whole area of trade between supposed free individuals is under the thumb of the government. With the exception of criminal activity the government has no right to tell its citizens the criteria it may use during trade negotiations.

This grates on the nerves of "reasonable" people, but that is because they are too busy projecting their ideas of fair and right onto others. The modern reasonable person believes that trade should be limited to pure economic factors, specifically availability, ability and money. If you have an item, and wish to sell it, you are required to accept the first person who comes along and offers the requested price and no other criteria may come into play. This is essentially absurd as it denies both the buyer and the sellers the use of their full mental capacities.

The question is no longer one of freedom, but of what do the "reasonable" people wish to allow?

The self described "reasonable" people need to realize that by enforcing their views on those around them they are doing nothing more than using might to replace the reason they claim to have. If the "reasonable" people truly believed in their professed values, one of which is freedom, the would see that their only legitimate tool is persuasion, not power.

The governments rightful place in labor markets is the same as in any other market, to stop the use of force and fraud and all other actions are improper.