The cornerstone of the WIIU program is worker ownership and control of the industries and services. There are many who believe that without owner appointed management the wheels of industry would grind to a screeching halt. The thing they don’t seem to realize is that workers already run the industries from top to bottom, and we could carry on with production without them.

There have been many examples throughout history where workers took matters into their own hands and ran their particular factory or industry after management had been either locked out or forcibly ejected from the workplace. During the May 1968 upheaval in France many of the auto plants and other industries were completely taken over by their workers and continued on with production as though nothing had happened. There have been other more isolated strikes and worker actions throughout history where the working class has clearly demonstrated that bosses are superfluous in the production process.

The question arises then, why have bosses at all? Simply, the owners of the factory, office or service want someone present to monitor the workers and make sure that they are carrying out their assigned tasks and to also make sure they are doing so in the most profitable fashion. The boss represents and promotes the interests of the often absentee owner or owners and is paid a sum often well above that of the average worker.

The owners promote the idea that this oversight is necessary to keep things working smoothly and without it the workplace would be completely without direction and would eventually break down. Nothing could be further from the truth. In fact, in most instances, without the constant meddling and prodding from someone who usually knows little about the work being performed, the work goes more smoothly and with much less stress.

If the profit motive were removed from production things would be even better. In a sane society where production is carried out for the benefit of all, and the means of production are under the direct control of the workers themselves, we would elect our management based on their experience and knowledge of the work to be done. Every worker would have a voice and vote on all matters relevant to how the work is carried out. Should an elected supervisor decide to try to run things his or her own way they can be immediately removed by those who voted them into that position.

Under worker management, decisions in the workplace would come from the bottom up, instead of being handed down from people far removed from where the actual work is carried out. With workers in control of their jobs productivity would most likely be higher than at any point in history. Also, the fact that their work benefits everyone and is socially necessary improves worker morale and will eliminate the feeling of alienation in the workplace. Working to better society instead of to make someone else rich is a strong incentive.

The WIIU has a plan to make bosses extinct. Isn’t it time you took control of your job? Join with us to make a boss-less society a reality.