Eric Blanc, Assistant Professor of Labor Studies at Rutgers University and organizer with the Emergency Workplace Organizing Committee (EWOC), joined the America's Work Force Union Podcast to discuss his new book "We Are the Union: How Worker-to-Worker Organizing is Revitalizing Labor and Winning Big."
Blanc highlighted the growing trend of worker-led organizing efforts, particularly among young people. He noted that recent high-profile unionization campaigns, such as those at Starbucks and Amazon, have been driven by workers rather than traditional union structures. This shift has allowed for more scalable organizing efforts, with workers taking on leadership roles and training their peers. Blanc believes this approach is crucial for building a labor movement that is capable of organizing millions of workers, not just thousands.
The conversation touched on the challenges of organizing campaigns, including anti-union tactics like captive audience meetings and promises of workplace improvements. Blanc stressed the importance of sustained organizing efforts, even after initial setbacks. He cited the example of Mercedes workers in Alabama, who are now running a new election after management failed to deliver on promises made during a previous unionization attempt. Blanc said worker-to-worker organizing creates a sense of ownership and commitment, essential for overcoming these obstacles.
Blanc also discussed the critical role of community support and public pressure in successful unionization drives. He pointed to the Starbucks campaign, where widespread public support and a customer boycott led to significant financial losses for the company, ultimately forcing management to the bargaining table. Building strong community alliances and leveraging public opinion are key strategies for modern labor organizing, Blanc said, particularly in service-sector industries where traditional strike tactics may have less impact.
To hear more from Blanc on the future of labor organizing and the power of worker-to-worker campaigns, listen to the full episode above.