> They are able to hold the public hostage by preventing automation at ports, stopping teaching (often doubling as daycare for children), or withholding public safety.

if instead of being in conflict with capital/management, the workers owned the companies/schools etc (iow a cooperative), i wonder if they would be against automation and the rest of it in that case? perhaps in that structure automation would be welcomed relief from drudgery and fear of being let go...?

  > The counterbalance to a union and to management needs to be customers, but customers aren't able to vote no here.

they can vote if its a consumer cooperative, no?

https://ncbaclusa.coop/resources/co-op-sectors/consumer-co-o...