Unionist Trade
From Scandia
Unionists come in many varieties, the most obvious being Trades and Granger. In this case "Trade" does not refer to traders or shopkeepers - those would be the almost-extinct Guildsmen or Mercantilists. Rather, Trades Unionists are those craftspeople practicing a traditional trade - carpenters, mechanics, plumbers. In a modern society membership might be extended to professional workers such as doctors, architects, and engineers. To other Trades Unionists that would be horrifying.
In a service-based economy, tradesmen already wield considerable power. Taking the organized step of forming a political movement solidifies their hold on a society to the point that a Trades Unionist administration rarely leaves power quietly. Scandal, coup, or revolution, yes, but once empowered the formidible organizations behind The Pipefitters' Guild, The Carpenters and Woodworkers' Association, the Lumbermen United -- those cling to office as though welded in place.
Born of a desire for fair treatment in the workplace, Trades Unions all will at least speak of equality, decent working conditions, and reasonable taxation. But for some, the words are just a path into opression and venal corruption. Ever had a mechanic charge you insane amounts to fix an automobile that had little wrong... until he got his hands on it? That same profiteering mentality is in power in more than one Trades Unionist administration. To be fair, there are Trades Unionist administrations which truly are working people passionate to obtain solid jobs and fulfilling work for all.
As Unionists of most types tend toward freewheeling capitalism or at most radical, a social-democratic emphasis, those contrasting political thinkers once known as Absolute Unionists have lately become better known as Communalists. Some classify Social Unionists separately - they are basically Trade Unionists with Socialist leanings.
Compare with Granger Unionists.
List of Trade Unionist administrations
- Dolni Villem (Association of Haromszeki States)
- the Social Republic of Jeanissin (Association of Haromszeki States)
- Uj-Hercegseg (Association of Haromszeki States)
- Ulovnigrad Republic (Association of Haromszeki States).
