What does it mean to be a union member in these dark times?

Making ends meet in today's economy is difficult enough, but with so many societal crises affecting working people's lives on and off the shop floor—from mass layoffs to untenable costs of living, from an authoritarian federal government to AI and the climate crisis—it can feel all but impossible. What does it mean to have a union job, to be a union member, and to be part of the labor movement in these overwhelming times? What role do unions and other labor organizations have to play, not just in the fight for economic justice, but in the fight for democracy, civil rights, the rule of law, and a livable planet? We posed these questions to a range of emerging labor leaders from different unions and worker centers enrolled in the 2025-26 Minnesota Union Leadership Program (MULP). Here's what they told us…

Additional links/info:

• Minnesota Union Leadership Program website

• Workday Magazine website

• Maximillian Alvarez, Working People / The Real News Network, "What good is a union in Hell?"

Featured Music:

• Jules Taylor, Working People Theme Song

Credits:

• Audio Post-Production: Alina Nehlich