I am halfway through watching the excellent Ken Burns documentary on the US Civil War

[Burney]

The same can be said for any economy dependent on low labour costs. One of the reasons this country has flat-lined on productivity is that there is no incentive to develop more efficient capital when there is an inexhaustible supply of cheap, imported labour.

Hmmm. That argument is effectively countered by the Industrial Revolution, though, a.

We were unprecedentedly inventive whilst also paying the workers fúck all.

[Ash]

Hmmm. That argument is effectively countered by the Industrial Revolution, though, a.

We were unprecedentedly inventive whilst also paying the workers fúck all.

I expect the difference is the net/option of welfare.

[Peter]

I expect the difference is the net/option of welfare.

That and the trade union movement.

[Ash]

That and the trade union movement.

Yes, absolutely. I was going to say that as part of a longer post but suddenly got busy.

[Peter]

Yes, absolutely. I was going to say that as part of a longer post but suddenly got busy.

So in a way, the union movement is a vital cog in the wheel of progress.