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Where to Start
These resources provide a place for you to start working toward initial conversations and strategic planning for organizing your work place. Many of these sources tell a similar story on what tactics to use, but many also draw lessons learned from real campaigns.
What is Solidarity Unionism?
A term that comes up a lot in the resources throughout this LibGuide, and which a lot of shop-floor organizing strategies are based off of, is solidarity unionism, which can be defined as the following:
Solidarity unionism focuses on workers using direct action to win better working conditions and pay. The union is a vehicle for workers themselves to advance their interests through grassroots organizing and militant action. The union is the workers themselves and not some external bureaucracy tasked with legally enforcing contract clauses. (Williams 2019)
More resources on solidarity unionism:
Industrial Workers of the World’s definition and resource page : provides an overview of the term and additional resources.
Solidarity Unionism: What it Is and Isn’t : explores the nuances in the way that solidarity unionism is practiced.
Can “solidarity unionism” save the labor movement? : discusses Straughton Lynd’s Solidarity Unionism.
Secrets of a Successful Organizer
Bradbury, Alexandra, Mark Brenner, and Jane Slaughter. (2016). Secrets of a Successful Organizer. LaborNotes.
ISBN: 9780914093077
This book pulls from decades of organizing to develop an accessible, step-by-step guide to organizing and 47 secrets to help you be successful.
Image source: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/29926394-secrets-of-a-successful-organizer
Zines
Solidarity Unionism at Starbucks by Daniel Gross and Staughton Lynd
ISBN: 9781604864205
Explores the Starbucks union campaign as a way to make the case that workers can successfully organize themselves and advocate for improved working conditions without waiting for the backing of traditional trade unions.
Why do we need a union? from Democratic Socialists of America (DSA) SF
Gives an overview of why workers would want to organize, including what it means to form a union, how the boss might react, and what you can win.
How do I talk to my coworkers about unionizing? from DSA SF
Provides a brief overview of how to start talking with your coworkers about organizing, including navigating conversations that express worry or negativity.
5 Steps to Underground Organizing from DSA SF
Although there isn’t a single path to organizing your workplace, this zine offers number of helpful steps to start the process.
Know Your Rights in the Workplace from DSA SF
This zine provides a quick overview of how to navigate conversations about organizing in the workplace, what rights you have in doing so, and what to do if you face retaliation.
Fun walk through of a lot of the strategies outline in the resources listed on this page.
Online resources
- How to Organize Your Workplace Without Getting Caught
Details ways to start thinking about organizing your coworkers and doing so in a way that helps you cover your tracks. Also includes links within the text to more resources. - Organizing a Workplace Campaign
Dennis Kosuth, a member of the Chicago Teachers Union and National Nurses United, uses his own experiences in organizing to provide a way forward for others considering organizing their workplace. - Secrets of a Successful Organizer Handouts
Handouts and exercises from LaborNotes’ book Secrets of a Successful Organizer, which outlines a step-by-step guide to shop-foor organizing. - A Simple Shop Floor Organizing Plan Any Essential Worker Can Use
Blog post that suggests ways of organizing specifically around hazardous/unsafe working conditions, such as working in person during a global pandemic. - 9 Steps to Getting Organized at Work
Another step-by-step guide to help you figure out where to start, and who to talk to first.
References
Another Slice (2019, Nov 1). How To Unionize Your Workplace . YouTube. www.youtube.com/watch?v=JvrldZlUwe0
Williams, Roger. (2019, July 12). Solidarity Unionism and Dual Carding: A Primer. Regeneration. https://regenerationmag.org/solidarity-unionism-and-dual-carding-a-primer/