Knowing your labor history can lead to an improved labor movement

Labor historian and Professor with the School of Industrial and Labor Relations at Cornell University, Ileen DeVault, joined the America’s Work Force Union Podcast to discuss the changing mentality of the Labor Movement among students. DeVault also discussed the ILR Labor Action Tracker and the factors contributing to the “Hot Summer Labor.”    

The focus of students has changed over the years for DeVault. Previously, many students were focused on the business side of Labor, and now she has noticed a greater desire to learn about the history of the Labor Movement and how to get involved. Social justice issues and environmental debates have led to a greater desire to work and change their government more than ever. DeVault believes the growing trend of Starbucks and Amazon workers is driven by this desire to improve their communities.

The ILR Labor Action Tracker is a great tool for discussing the “Hot Labor Summer.” It covers not only major work stoppages but smaller actions by workers against their employers. These smaller actions are more important to building the future of labor, and that’s why the Labor Action Tracker keeps track of them, DeVault said. While the Department of Labor has only been interested in strikes by established unions, the Action Tracker will track the efforts of organized individuals even if they don’t have a first contract yet.

In the research being done by DeVault, she’s found an interesting combination of factors leading the way through the “Hot Labor Summer.” Long-time unions like the Teamsters and the UAW are leading major strike possibilities in 2023. However, younger workplaces are also involved in labor actions like the efforts to organize Amazon and Starbucks employees. DeVault discussed the data surrounding trends of the “Hot Labor Summer” and how it will impact the future of the working class.

To learn more from Professor DeVault on Labor History, press play on the episode above.