Darkstone Code
Chapter 286 - 0284 Profit method, list, response

Chapter 286: 0284 Profit method, list, response

"If we can offer some job opportunities at this time, even if these jobs aren’t exactly what people imagine, it would be a huge encouragement for us and those who need work!"

"People will see that we’re making efforts for this, and we’ll gain more prestige. As for other matters, we can completely shift the problems to Lynch; we don’t need to bear any responsibility!"

The union president became more clear-headed the more he spoke. He felt that this model absolutely had no issues; the Workers’ Union would receive its due benefits without additional responsibilities. Although people might perceive some changes within the Workers’ Union, it only proves that the union is advancing, adapting to the times, and not remaining static.

With such a decision made, the remaining matters are easy to resolve; it’s simply a question of how much they can benefit from this deal.

The Workers’ Union has never been a charitable organization, yet the entire Federation’s working class seems to be misled by some misconceptions. Many people believe that the Workers’ Union is a charitable institution wholly devoted to serving the working class.

They don’t even consider how the Workers’ Union maintains its massive organization and staff. Indeed, people rarely think about this.

Take Sabin City’s Workers’ Union, for example; the entire union staff numbers around forty, even after downsizing. Five years ago, the number of staff was more than twice, maybe three or four times, the current amount.

These people also need salaries; no one would really dedicate themselves to some ideal without getting paid, especially since such behavior is despised in Bail Federal—if someone has a spirit of self-sacrifice and doesn’t ask for pay, it would make them noble, but others would seem vulgar and sordid.

Unless it’s court-mandated labor, even if cash is unavailable, people would proactively demand some compensation, even if it’s just food, but definitely not nothing.

These individuals earn significantly higher wages than the working class, and the union itself has various expenses, like travel and cleaning costs. When tallied monthly, it’s not a trivial amount. So where does this money come from?

Few consider this issue, but ignoring it doesn’t mean it doesn’t exist. This is also the survival law of the union.

In fact, this money primarily comes from three sources: first, fees generated by the union’s profit-making entities, such as factories in various regions producing labor protection items.

Heavy shoes, gloves with steel mesh—business owners purchase these items from the union as the Workers’ Union helped establish the standards for such goods. If they don’t wish for trouble, they’d best cooperate.

The second part comes from voluntary contributions from union members. Initially, every union member had to pay dues; each person would pay two dollars monthly.

The idea of workers paying dues originated perhaps from yearning for the tens of millions of workers in Bail Federal. It’s not a flawed statement; if each worker paid two dollars monthly, the Workers’ Union could become the Federation’s leading economic entity.

But this idea was overly simplistic; many workers refused to join just because of the dues, prompting the Workers’ Union to soon abolish the dues in favor of an entrance fee system.

Joining the union requires a one-time fee of fifteen dollars, with no further charges, though the union accepts voluntary donations from workers.

Voluntary donations aren’t abundant, far less than income from the third source—cooperation with capitalists.

This partnership is an important income source for the union. They solve problems for capitalists, who in gratitude sign checks for them.

The union’s operations need funds, and Lynch’s proposal perfectly addresses some of their current financial issues.

Soon, the Workers’ Union publicly announced they were in close negotiations with some socially responsible capitalists, hoping to secure some important, ongoing job opportunities for all registered but unemployed families.

This news quickly gave people a sense of impending hope, while deepening the Workers’ Union’s role in people’s minds.

They just organized a protest and fought for some jobs; what could be more reliable than them?

Nothing!

I am a worker, I love the union!

With this understanding, this cooperation was almost problem-free, but both parties awaited, waiting for things to further ferment. If the wish gets granted too easily, people won’t know gratitude. Families must understand the importance of gaining a spot so they may appreciate, work hard, and repay the union and Lynch’s generosity.

And at this time, a dispatch from the President’s Cabinet regarding York State reached the governor’s office.

Among these documents were adjustments to major domestic policies, as well as external trade approval permits for York State.

Given the lack of current domestic and international interaction, the President’s Cabinet didn’t immediately lift the control over domestic and international exchanges but relaxed it to some extent, efficiently identifying issues and solving them calmly.

Lynch’s name appeared on this presidential approval list for foreign trade, surprising the governor.

Lynch and his Interstellar Trade Company were well known statewide due to Sabin City’s mayor, being a company specializing in second-hand goods trading and a young entrepreneur. Yet, people’s understanding of Lynch didn’t extend beyond this.

The governor had quoted Lynch before, as his words resonated well with current mainstream societal views about bearing more social responsibility and elevating the Federation’s international status. Such thoughts are gentle and harmless.

However, his radical remarks when attending an event at the President’s invitation dissuaded the governor from believing he’d gain the President’s favor. The President is a mild-mannered person, preferring increasing Federation’s presence through communication rather than "economic war," which doesn’t align with people’s needs.

Yet unexpectedly, Lynch not only passed the approval but was first on the list, suggesting he was the first to pass the review, arousing curiosity.

The governor picked up the phone, shortly seeing Adelaide in his office, gesturing toward the documents and pushing them over.

After reviewing the document twice, Adelaide returned it to the desk, "What’s the issue?"

"First line, Lynch. Do you know whose connection he’s using?" The governor suspected Lynch spent significant money or utilized some favors in this matter, "Wardrick?"

Adelaide finally understood the governor’s meaning, rubbing his chin, "Mr. Wardrick has cleared his connection with Lynch; Lynch merely employed Wardrick’s daughter as a companion for an event, having no prior acquaintance."

"However, this list was drafted by the newly established International Affairs Strategy Research Office; perhaps he’s utilizing their connections."

The governor reluctantly nodded; then he mentioned a name, "Truman. I can only think of this person. Why would the President keep him at the President’s Mansion?"

"This is really a joke!"

These sentiments weren’t directed at Lynch but at Truman, not a favored character. Politicians instinctively dislike peers with military backgrounds, an inexplicable but objectively existing prejudice, hard to erase.

It’s like a conservative politician seeking support from conservative citizens; simply advocating for military budget cuts and limiting military power before elections would assure public support, an age-old ideological dichotomy none can explain.

Moreover, the current President belongs to the Progressive Party’s moderate wing, while Truman represents the radical faction. Many expressed surprise and confusion over the personnel listing of the newly founded International Affairs Strategy Research Office.

Adelaide didn’t comment further, only smiling.

The governor swiftly returned to a normal mood, looking at the list again and posing a question, "Could there be deeper elements within? Even if Truman is interested in Lynch’s ideas, he wouldn’t put him first; there must be something we don’t know."

Reaching the highest rank within the President’s Mansion Office isn’t achieved solely by personal preferences; Lynch must have something that impressed Truman, who then convinced the President, resulting in this outcome—the President also needs to review the list.

That’s why the governor summoned Adelaide; although each of the Federation’s seventeen states has considerable autonomy, everyone has to follow the President’s Cabinet on significant directions.

As the governor’s chief staff officer, this is Adelaide’s responsibility.

After serious contemplation, Adelaide still found nothing, "I’ll find time to meet Lynch. Based on his views publicly expressed that night, it shouldn’t be difficult to communicate."

The governor agreed this was a viable approach, nodding, "Find out promptly...", and thus ended the matter. Pausing briefly, he picked up another document and handed it over, "When Fla’s delegation comes to the Federation on a state visit, in response, the foreign minister will assemble a delegation around mid-year to visit Fla. Each state can participate; do you think we should join?"