Chapter 378

The Federation of Labor also had an office in Golden Port, but its scale was not very large. A city like Golden Port, which primarily relies

The Federation of Labor also had an office in Golden Port, but its scale was not very large.

A city like Golden Port, which primarily relies on freight, docks, and tourism to generate profit, has almost no heavy industry. The industrial sector is basically dominated by light industry.

The core strength of the Federation of Labor is the skilled workers in heavy industry. Although skilled workers in light industry are also important, their influence in society, and the “destructive power” and “deterrent force” they have created, are still inferior to those in heavy industry.

Therefore, the Federation of Labor office here was not very large, so much so that when Lance arrived, the conference room seemed a bit crowded.

When Debbie saw Lance, she took the initiative to stop her conversation with others and walked over to shake Lance’s hand.

His stock was constantly rising, so Debbie was also willing to deepen her connection with him. Who knew when she might need Lance’s help?

When others saw Lance, most of the locals took the initiative to greet him.

The general representative of the Federation of Labor also walked over. Debbie took the initiative to make the introduction, “This is one of our Federation of Labor’s general representatives…”

Actually, the term “general representative” was not entirely accurate. A more accurate term would be “representative elected by the representatives of all industries in the Federation of Labor.”

Here, “all industries” was simplified to “general,” and then “elected representative” was adopted.

He was a representative elected by the representatives of the Federation of Labor, so he was called the general representative.

There were quite a few people with this title in the Federation of Labor. It was not a particularly rare role, but his status was indeed not low.

At the very least, he could represent all the skilled workers in the industry he was engaged in.

Like Vaughn and the former president Scott, although he came from the working class and it had only been a few years since he had transformed from a worker, the working-class temperament on him had completely disappeared.

He wore a very well-fitting suit, his fingernails were cleaned immaculately, and the golden watch hidden under his sleeve would be revealed when the cuff naturally slipped down as he raised his hand.

The smile on his face was full of confidence, and even a bit of conceit.

In fact, it wasn’t just him. Almost everyone in this room was like this.

They came from the working class, represented the working class, but were the least like the working class.

“Just call me Peyton,” Peyton directly interrupted Debbie’s introduction and shook hands with Lance. “The Lance White Rating Method has been proven by our analysis to be very effective, simple, and scientific.”

“And this has helped us fight for more reasonable benefits from the capitalists. You have played a key role in this.”

Before, “skilled worker” was just a general term. No one knew how “skilled” this skill was.

But with the implementation of the Lance White Rating Method, they now divided workers into nine levels.

Levels one to two were ordinary workers, and from level three onwards were skilled workers, all the way up to level nine.

Before, capitalists only needed to pay a level-nine skilled worker the wages of a level-three worker to hire him.

Of course, the capitalists might pay a little more, but there was no standard or reference for this. They could give as much as they wanted.

But now it was different.

The Federation of Labor had begun to propose some wage standards. The wages of a level-three skilled worker had to be at least one hundred and twenty percent of a level-two worker’s wage, and then increase level by level, with the percentage of increase getting larger and larger.

For those above level seven, they would basically get twice the wages of a level-two worker, and a level-nine skilled worker would get more than three times the wages.

As soon as this rating method and salary structure were introduced, they received the support of all members of the Federation of Labor, including the industry unions, which also began to fully support this rating method.

The workers supported it because the skilled workers of the Federation of Labor could get more benefits from it. The lesser ones could get twenty to thirty percent more in wages than before.

The greater ones might have their wages directly doubled.

The unions supported this because they themselves represented the interests of the workers. This kind of obvious conflict that needed to be reconciled would also make the existence of the union more important.

This was a long and lengthy process. It wasn’t that the capitalists would acknowledge it just because they were willing to rate and count this way.

So here, political power was needed to push this matter. And what could be more suitable than a strike, or even a general strike?

He didn’t particularly like or dislike Lance, but the suggestion Lance had provided was really good.

Lance smiled reservedly and shook his hand. “I don’t know what this has to do with the capitalists. I just want the workers to have a clear comparison, to know how capable they really are.”

Peyton laughed heartily. “In any case, you’ve made a very constructive suggestion.”

He paused, then looked at the president of the local Federation of Labor. “Is everyone here?”

The local president looked around and nodded. “Almost everyone is here.”

Peyton walked back to his seat and sat down. “Good, since everyone is here, we can talk about these things.”

“To be honest, when I heard about this, I was very shocked. What time is it now, that there are still people so cruelly exploiting our worker brothers?”

“And even using violent means and the threat of dismissal to force our worker brothers to obey their demands?”

“It’s not just me. All the representatives are very angry. They have seriously hurt our feelings and our interests.”

“I think this matter is not over yet. Not only that, but we also need to continue to expand the scope, let more worker brothers know about these things, and have them support us.”

“Only when more worker brothers begin to speak out, and let the capitalists realize that we are a solid block, can our interests be guaranteed.”

Then, he said a very famous sentence. Even Lance, who was a bit absent-minded, couldn’t help but sit up straight. “Although slavery has been abolished and the slaves have been freed, the slave owners are still here!”

See, this is the difference between a politician and a worker. Those workers on the docks couldn’t say such high-level words, nor did they know these high-level words. But this worker representative, Peyton, could say them.

For some reason, at this moment, Lance, sitting in the back row, looked at the whole venue and suddenly had a feeling of looking down on a “little Congress.” It was very comical.

Vaughn was sitting next to Lance. He turned to look at Lance, his eyes showing some shock and some inquiry.

Lance shook his head slightly, signaling him not to speak.

There were ears all around; someone would hear.

This small meeting actually didn’t last too long. To sum it up, it was just one thing—continue to expand the conflict, escalate the confrontation.

Not only was the Federation of Labor planning to get involved, but other industry unions were also planning to follow suit. Now, with the situation here getting more intense, various industry unions would show their support by holding solidarity strikes.

Then, the leadership of the negotiations would be transferred from the Golden Port dockworkers to the General Federation of Labor. The Federation of Labor would then negotiate with the federal government, various local governments, and the capitalists.

To resolve the strike and make them accept the wage grading system.

The workers were not pure fools either. If they were asked to go on strike for no reason, they would not be willing to do it.

But as long as there was a suitable reason, it could incite some industry unions that had their own demands but were not yet satisfied. With the great unity of the working class, it would happen in an instant.

After the meeting, Lance left directly, saying he had things to do. Vaughn also left with Lance. It would still take time to operate this matter, so they didn’t pay too much attention.

From the standpoint of Peyton or other representatives of the general union, both Lance and Vaughn would definitely stand with them.

“In my hometown, there’s a word called ‘shabi,’ and it’s used to describe them,” Lance gave Vaughn a cigarette and lit one for himself. He really couldn’t hold back anymore and said the word.

“‘Shabi’?” For some reason, even though Lance didn’t explain the meaning of the word, Vaughn knew that this description was definitely not a good thing.

Lance explained it softly, and Vaughn couldn’t help but laugh out loud. “Very vivid!”

But after laughing, there were still some things that needed to be faced.

“They plan to use us to help them achieve their ideas. I don’t like this. It’s of no benefit to us, and will instead put us at the forefront.”

He raised his left hand and made a grabbing motion. “They get the benefits…” Then he extended his right hand and made the same motion, “We take the loss!” and repeatedly moved it up and down, like a scale rising and falling.

Vaughn could read his meaning. “We shake them off?”

Lance touched the business card in his pocket. “At least we can’t follow them.”

“Remember, don’t agree to anything first.”

After sending Vaughn off, he returned to the company.

Now the family was still constantly recruiting people. With a large area of the Port District being brought into their fold, the family also needed more manpower to cope with the situation in various regions.

This also made the company side seem particularly lively. Many people, hearing that the Lance Family was recruiting more people again, all wanted to come and try.

Bolton’s group of old men had indeed earned a lot of money from Lance. And to be honest, although there was a little risk, at least Lance really gave money, and he gave a lot.

For many young people, compared to letting them work in a factory for a lifetime with no future, it was better to join the Lance Family.

There was money, face, and actual economic income.

This was actually a very bad era. If it were really as beautiful and modern as people, as posters, as magazines said, then this kind of thing would not happen.

Just as he got out of the car, Elvin came out. “Alberto is here. It seems like something big has happened.”

Lance nodded and got out of the car. He handed his coat and hat to the girl at the door, Corinda.

Today was a very formal occasion. Even the senator was wearing a full suit. He also had to wear one, otherwise, it would not only be disrespectful to others but also to himself.

At the office door, he saw Fordis smoking anxiously.

The two bumped fists. “What’s wrong?”

“Paul is dead.”

Lance was stunned. “The Cassia Family did it?”

Fordis was hesitant to speak, and finally could only lower his voice. “It was Dover.”

Lance looked at him as if he were telling a story, but his expression gradually became serious. “When did it happen?”

“Two days ago.”

Lance nodded, sighed, and pushed the door open to enter.

Alberto looked a bit haggard. When he saw Lance, he couldn’t help but curse, “That son of a bitch actually did that to Paul. I should have killed him long ago.”

“I’m going to skin him and make a drum out of it, and beat it for Paul every day!”

Lance walked to his side and patted his shoulder. “Is there anything I can do for you?”

“He ran away!” Alberto cursed non-stop. “Someone told me he ran back to Summuri Island!”

Lance sat down next to him. “This is a good thing. At least he didn’t become the new family head.”

Alberto sneered. “Just him?”

He didn’t shake his head, he threw his head back. “Unless the people of the Pasoretto Family are almost all dead, it won’t be his turn. Otherwise, it will never be his turn.”

“So he ran away early!”

The succession of the Pasoretto Family has rules. Not just anyone can become the family head. After Paul died, even Mueller was not qualified to become the family head, although he was also dead.

The only one who could inherit the position of family head was his son. If his sons were also all dead, completely dead, then his wife would temporarily take the position of family head, but she would not really exercise the responsibilities of the family head, just a symbol.

Then the remaining people of the Pasoretto Family, for example, Paul’s cousins, would hold a competition.

The four people with the most support from the family members would go to hunt down Dover.

Whoever killed Dover would be the next family head.

So it would never be Dover’s turn.

Before, he thought it could be his turn because the militia would enter the city. But now that the militia was not entering the city, he had no way to make the Pasoretto Family recognize him, let alone let him inherit the position of family head. He could only run, back to Summuri.

Paul’s refusal to be recruited by any of the four major families on the island had already angered them. For them, protecting Dover was tantamount to slapping the Pasoretto Family in the face.

At the same time, it could also serve as a warning to those outside who were unwilling to come back: this is the consequence.

Although it was not led by them.

But it could always scare some timid people.

Hearing this, Lance didn’t know how to comfort him. “Is there anything I can do?”

Alberto nodded. “Yes,” he turned to look at Lance. “Cisco will inherit his father’s position, but he is young, and in the family… you know, those people are either his grandfather or his uncle, or aunt or something. He may not be able to suppress these people.”

“Plus… with the current battle, the strength in the hands of these grandfathers and uncles of his is stronger than his. He needs me, and I need you!”

Francisco Pasoretto was Paul’s eldest son, even younger than Lance.

Paul had married late and had children late. Francisco was only seventeen this year.

However, he also had an older brother, but that brother was an illegitimate son, the child of Paul and a dancer.

At that time, Paul was still very young and could not resist these temptations, leaving behind his seed.

But fortunately, this illegitimate son did not have the right of inheritance. According to Summuri customs, he could become a family member, but not a leader.

However, Alberto was not very reassured. Who knew if Francisco’s grandfathers and uncles would go crazy in the end?

“I owe Paul a lot in my life, and I can’t pay it back.”

“Now that he’s dead, and has left nothing behind, the only thing I can do is to help him look after Cisco, let him grow up, and take over the power of the Pasoretto Family.”

“There are not many people who can help me. You are one, and the most important one. You have to help me, Lance!”

“Help me this one time, and you won’t owe me anything anymore.”

Lance gave him a punch, which didn’t hurt. “We are brothers, don’t talk to me about owing or not owing.”

“You never owed me anything from the beginning, but you’ve been helping me all along. Do you look down on me, thinking that I will only help you because ‘I don’t owe you’?”

Looking at Lance’s somewhat angry eyes, Alberto’s mood improved slightly. “Come on!” He moved forward, hugged Lance, and patted him twice on the back.

“I’ll call you when the time comes.”

Lance nodded. “Anytime!”

Alberto did not stay long. He had to go back as soon as possible to help Francisco deal with those grandfathers, uncles, and aunts who might already have other ideas.

Before Fordis left, he also greeted Lance again. He was also very grateful for Lance’s efforts.

After the two of them had left, Elvin came in. “What’s wrong?”

He didn’t know what had happened.

Lance told him what had happened, and he also found it incredible. “How could this happen?”

Lance shrugged. “He didn’t go into details, but it happened. The only good news now is that the Mayor’s plan is finished. Next is our time.”

“Recruit more people this time. Where’s Mador?”

“I’ll go get him.”

Soon Mador came over. “You were looking for me?”

Lance had him sit down. “We need more veterans. As long as they are reliable, I can afford them.”

Mador considered for a moment and nodded. “I will ask around. How many people do you want?”

Lance glanced at Elvin. “Around three to five hundred.”

“That many?” Mador’s eyes widened. “Are you planning to attack Golden Port?”

Lance chuckled twice. “Very funny.” He paused. “We now have two of the largest territories. Although they are also the poorest, we need this many people.”

“The Mayor is finished. The people he brought will soon be cleaned up. Then the Cassia Family will also be cleaned up, and the Starlight District will be vacated.”

“Paul also gave me a bar before. I have to protect my bar’s safety, which requires manpower.”

Listening to Lance’s thoughts, Elvin sighed lightly. “The times have changed. The era of the Five Families is coming to an end.”

Lance nodded. “No one can rule for long. One era is crushed by another era.”

“In the end, these fragments form history. We are making history, brothers!”

(End of chapter)

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