A visiting scholar at the Kalmanovitz Initiative for Labor and the Working Poor at Georgetown University, John Russo, joined the America’s Work Force Union Podcast to discuss contributing factors to the banner year for labor. He also discussed the impact of United Auto Workers President Shawn Fain and what the record contracts earned in 2023 could do for future negotiations.
After a banner year in the labor movement, Russo outlined some contributing factors. Following the pandemic, many workers could reassess their work-life balance and the importance of not being overworked. Multiple workplace factors and a struggle to receive better pay also contributed to the improvement in labor activity in 2023.
Along with economic factors, many labor leaders adopted a new, more militant mentality, with UAW President Shawn Fain leading the charge. Fain shamed CEOs and employers who mistreated workers, promising a change for the working class, and he delivered for his members with record contracts, Russo said. He then discussed the contract negotiations with the UAW and the Big Three in Detroit and how Fain utilized different channels to earn record-setting contracts for members.
Finally, Russo discussed the impact after multiple record-setting contracts earned by unions like the Teamsters, the UAW and SAG-AFTRA. He said it will be difficult to continue the momentum into 2024 and beyond as artificial intelligence is implemented into the workforce. With fundamental changes to the way work is done, the ability to negotiate these record contracts becomes more difficult. If unions can get in front of the implementation of AI and put language in their contracts now as the UAW and SAG-AFTRA have done, Russo believes there is a better chance to continue the labor movement's growth.
For more from Russo, please listen to the show above.