“McAlevey’s work—like that of her dissertation advisor, Frances Fox Piven—looks to reinsert the role of ordinary people back into our understanding of power and politics, refocusing away from both the horse race of presidential elections and top-down mobilizing strategies that draw in only those already committed to left and liberal causes. Read More
Doug Henwood and I sat down for a interview in early April, 2014, for his show on KPFA called, Behind the News. Doug wanted to talk about my thoughts on everything from the recent UAW defeat in Chattanooga, TN, to the mobilizing among fast food workers and more. Henwood had recently read the new Afterward for the second edition of my book (the softcover release, just out in softcover!). Read More
This is a four part interview that was filmed in Toronto, Canada during late February, 2014. The interview was conducted in the local Steelworkers Hall and sponsored by the Greater Toronto Workers Assembly, a smart group of trade unionists who meet together in a class-based, community rooted assembly to develop a progressive labor movement, one that can overcome existing union stagnation. Read More
The UAW defeat in Chattanooga is only the latest exhibit of why Whole Worker Organizing, and, a theory of worker organizing that understands workers are not just workers, they are mothers, fathers, sisters, members of various houses of faith, involved in sports clubs and their kids schools, etc is urgent if US unions want a credible fight back against very powerful forces. Read More
How the Rise of Women in Labor Could Save the Movement A new wave of female labor leaders are winning by thinking big. Bryce Covert January 10, 2014 Women have only recently made headway into real positions of power in organized labor, after making slow progress over the movement’s history. These women are bringing new ideas and strategies to labor organizing, many of which are borrowed from the women’s movement—like making the connection between what workers face on the job and what they’re dealing with at home. Read More