this post was submitted on 20 Sep 2023
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Work Reform
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A place to discuss positive changes that can make work more equitable, and to vent about current practices. We are NOT against work; we just want the fruits of our labor to be recognized better.
Our Philosophies:
- All workers must be paid a living wage for their labor.
- Income inequality is the main cause of lower living standards.
- Workers must join together and fight back for what is rightfully theirs.
- We must not be divided and conquered. Workers gain the most when they focus on unifying issues.
Our Goals
- Higher wages for underpaid workers.
- Better worker representation, including but not limited to unions.
- Better and fewer working hours.
- Stimulating a massive wave of worker organizing in the United States and beyond.
- Organizing and supporting political causes and campaigns that put workers first.
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You americans propably see this differently, but in europe it's very simple:
The employer need you to come to work. He doesn't care where you live and how long your commute is.
The worker can chose an employer close to his home, or relocate and live close to the employer. Generally, if it's a priority, the worker can live within walking distance of the employer. If other priorities overrule proximity, there's likely still public transport to get to work.
I just spent a couple weeks in Germany and Spain. The weather was nice, not too hot not humid even in September. Cities are walkable with clear defined pedestrian paths and bike lanes. Rent was affordable (I looked at a few places for fun and everything was cheaper than the dump I live in far from city center). Seems like it's way easier to live close to work and commute on foot or by bike than it is here.
Take a look at this video about North American stroads. It's really enlightening about how awful commuting is in the US (and maybe Canada but idk).
https://youtu.be/ORzNZUeUHAM?si=byoeZphtoUo2_QF6
I watched the first half, and it started getting repetitive. But I don't recall suburbs being mentioned. The way I see it, single family homes are the main reason for your american urban planning. low density makes area consumption big, and thus travel distances. With them comes traffic, and with that big roads.
I live in Europe, and while I own a car, i'm within walking distance of several supermarkets, restaurants, doctors schools and whatnot.
So you are saying it ought to be this way or it already is?
In the Netherlands it's quite common to receive €0.21 per km tax free (which doesn't cover the cost of the commute unless you ride a bicycle). I have a job that comes with an EV as a perk, including all charging expenses for company and private use both. I only have to pay for charging outside of the Netherlands. I do pay an extra tax for private use, but since it's an EV that's not a big amount at the moment. Some people receive a country wide public transit pass as a perk.
So if your claim is that there is no commute compensation anywhere in Europe, you're wrong. If you say it ought not to exist, well then I simply disagree.
As a government subsidy it's quite different from an employer benefit.
A public transport ticket as a perk is also very different. That's the same for all employees.the way k read the headline, it's about paying for the time spent commuting.