Lane Windham, Associate Director of the Kalmanovitz Initiative for Labor and the Working Poor at Georgetown University, joined the America's Work Force Union Podcast to discuss the changing landscape of labor leadership and the importance of empowering women in the movement.
Windham, a seasoned labor activist, historian and author, highlighted the significant shift in labor leadership demographics, noting that women now hold top positions in major unions. This change reflects the growing representation of women in union membership. Windham said leaders like Liz Schuler at the AFL-CIO and Randi Weingarten at the American Federation of Teachers are breaking barriers and reshaping the face of the labor movement. However, Windham emphasized that leadership extends beyond top positions and labor should encourage individuals to lead through vision and impact, regardless of their position within an organization.
The 2024 election results revealed deep-seated economic anger among working-class voters. Windham pointed out that this anger stems from decades of economic struggle. She said this is highlighted by men who hold only a high school degree earning 22 percent less than they did 45 years ago. Windham argued that the decline in union membership has left workers vulnerable to unchecked corporate power, fueling insecurity and discontent. She stressed the need for labor to advocate for transformative policies that bring tangible improvements to workers' daily lives.
While Windham points out that public opinion on unions is at its highest in 40 years, young workers are not provided with sufficient entry points to the labor movement. To address this, Windham co-directs Will Empower, a joint project between Georgetown and Rutgers University’s labor centers. The program offers apprenticeships that provide paid, entry-level positions in unions and worker justice organizations, complete with mentorship and cohort experiences. This initiative aims to create more doorways for young people to enter the labor movement and harness their energy and enthusiasm.
Listen to the show above to learn more about Lane Windham's work and the Will Empower program.