Can Resistance Revive Labor?

About this episode

The episode discusses how resistance to Trumpism could help rebuild worker power through bold actions like strikes and economic pressure campaigns.

On this week’s Labor History Today: Can resistance to Trumpism help rebuild worker power? Jeremy Brecher, author of Strike!, joins labor historian Joe McCartin and organizer Stephen Lerner to discuss their argument that bold, disruptive action—from strikes to economic pressure campaigns—can revive the labor movement, drawing on both history and on-the-ground organizing to map a way forward. We also visit Tacoma, Washington, where Sarah Gray takes us to the gravesite of “Solidarity Forever” author Ralph Chaplin—showing how labor history lives on in local traditions. And in Labor History in 2, Rick Smith marks the 1999 West Coast port shutdown, when dockworkers struck in solidarity with Mumia Abu-Jamal—demonstrating the power of international labor solidarity. Questions, comments, or suggestions are welcome, and to find out how you can be a part of Labor History Today, email us at LaborHistoryToday@gmail.com Labor History Today is produced by the Labor Heritage Foundation and the Kalmanovitz Initiative for Labor and the Working Poor.

People in this episode

Guests: Jeremy Brecher, Joe McCartin, Stephen Lerner

Topics covered

• labor movement
• worker power
• Trumpism
• strikes
• economic pressure campaigns
• labor history
• international labor solidarity

Keywords

• labor history
• worker power
• Trumpism
• strikes
• economic pressure
• solidarity
• organizing

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: Labor Heritage Foundation, Kalmanovitz Initiative for Labor and the Working Poor

Books & works: Solidarity Forever

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