Nick Juravich, Associate Director, and Steve Striffler, Director, of the Labor Resource Center and editors of "The Pandemic and the Working Class: How US Labor Navigated COVID-19," joined the America's Work Force Union Podcast to discuss their book. The conversation covered the experiences of workers across industries, the resurgence of labor organizing and the ongoing challenges faced by universities.
The book presents a collection of stories from workers who faced unprecedented challenges during the pandemic. Juravich and Striffler highlighted how different sectors, from healthcare to hospitality, experienced unique struggles. They emphasized the importance of including diverse voices, including frontline workers, academics and labor organizers, to provide a comprehensive view of the pandemic's impact on the working class.
The pandemic sparked a resurgence in labor organizing, particularly among young workers. Juravich and Striffler noted how the crisis exposed employers' lack of concern for their workers' well-being, leading to increased union activity and strikes. They discussed examples such as graduate students organizing at the University of Michigan and forming independent unions at companies like Amazon and Starbucks.
Finally, Juravich and Striffler addressed the challenges facing universities, including attacks on academic freedom and budget cuts. They stressed the importance of unionization in higher education. Juravich and Striffler continued by discussing their experiences as unionized faculty at UMass Boston and what it has been like navigating these challenges.
Listen to the full episode for more from Juravich and Striffler on their book, "The Pandemic and the Working Class: How US Labor Navigated COVID-19."