In the book, Burns argues that the “business unionism” ideology of class-collaboration with employers and the service-oriented model that has been embraced by most labor officials for the past several decades has led labor to a historical low point and does not have the answers to successfully lead a new upsurge. He further states that a relatively recent phenomenon – something he terms “labor liberalism” – presents another dead end for labor activists seeking a more militant, member-centered trade union movement. “Labor liberalism,” as Burns writes about it, places an emphasis on staff-driven efforts which often place union energy, funds, and resources into struggles beyond the shop floor.

There are positive signs on the horizon. Like young workers across the country, YWC members have participated in new union organizing, and witnessed growing interest in the militant, class struggle tactics like strikes that made big gains for the labor movement in the past. With the wave of union activity in the coffee sector, museums, education, and the recent victory for 8000 Amazon workers in New York, there are thousands of new unionists entering the movement eager to learn and lead.

The goal of the Young Workers Committee is to provide young unionists with the practical skills and strategy they can use in their workplaces and union locals to lead winning campaigns, and lead a revival of the labor movement and working-class political power.

#MilwaukeeWI #PeoplesStruggles #classStruggleUnionism #YoungWorkersCommitteeOfTheMilwaukeeAreaLaborCouncil

Waterloo, IA – At Midnight on October 14, 10,000 United Auto Worker union members went on strike across four Midwestern states and Colorado, with over 90% of workers having voted to strike. The workers rejected a six-year contract that would eliminate their pensions, preserve a two-tier wage system that disadvantages new workers, and would have raises that don’t keep pace with inflation.

Workers from Milwaukee representing the Young Workers Committee (YWC) of the Milwaukee Area Labor Council (MALC) visited UAW Local 838 workers in Waterloo, Iowa, where the largest number of John Deere union workers are employed, with around 3000 union workers at locations across the city.

There were two delegations: one visited the lines on October 24, a cold and rainy day; and the other visited on October 25, with the sun shining and not a cloud in the sky. The purpose of the trips was to demonstrate solidarity by delivering food, donating money to the strike fund, and joining the John Deere workers on the picket line. Strike support is something that YWC promotes as a part of its goal to bring a fighting spirit back to the labor movement.

While speaking with members of the YWC delegation, one UAW worker on the picket line remarked, “John Deere doesn’t own us, they rent us, and the rent is going up!”

John Deere union workers have not gone on strike since the Farm Crisis of the late 1980s when grain prices and demand for agricultural equipment collapsed. In sharp contrast to the conditions leading up to the 1986-1987 strike, John Deere raked in record profits of $4.7 billion in the first nine months of 2021 (more than $1 billion greater than the entire record-setting year of 2013), grain prices have surged, and there is incredible demand for agricultural equipment. The previous strike lasted for 163 days.

Since the beginning of the strike, the bosses have filed injunctions against the union to stop picket lines in multiple cities. Injunctions were filed against the pickets in Davenport and Ankeny, Iowa. While the judge in the Davenport case has issued a temporary order limiting the number of picketers to four at a time and banning burn barrels and lawn chairs, the attempt in Ankeny has been defeated.

A worker joining the picket line in Moline, Illinois was struck and killed while crossing the Rock Island-Milan Beltway. Details have not yet been released to the public about the circumstances leading up to the death of the worker.

If you would like to contribute to the union workers on strike contact UAW Region 4 in the Midwest at 847-459-3888 and UAW Region 8 in Colorado at 615-443-7654.

#WaterlooIA #WaterlooIN #PeoplesStruggles #UnitedAutoWorkers #Strikes #YoungWorkersCommitteeOfTheMilwaukeeAreaLaborCouncil

Milwaukee, WI – On September 20, union members and frontline workers gathered at Zeidler Union Square in downtown Milwaukee. The purpose for the rally was to speak out about working conditions during the pandemic, the need for extended benefits, the fight for racial justice and the blatant attacks on workers from the Trump administration.

The rally was called for and hosted by the Young Workers Committee of the Milwaukee Area Labor Council. Speakers for the event included members of established unions in the area as well as one who is actively involved in organizing her workplace.

“The COVID pandemic has brought to light an insufficient lifestyle that most entry-level workers are subjected to adapt to. Which in my opinion is impeccably timed, to join the uprising, and abolish all injustices; starting with the workplace! Step one: Making our voices heard in the ballot boxes and dump Trump!” said Brittany Walker, one of the leaders of the organizing effort at the Milwaukee Art Museum.

Attendees brought signs, including a couple that read “Medicare for all! Healthcare is a right” and “Tax the rich.” Chants included “No Trump, no KKK, no racist USA” and “Union power!” This event came a week after an online panel hosted by the Defeat “Right to Work” in Wisconsin online publication discussing the struggle to build a fighting labor movement in the Trump era.

#MilwaukeeWI #PeoplesStruggles #COVID19 #YoungWorkersCommitteeOfTheMilwaukeeAreaLaborCouncil