What's Left of Philosophy 107 | How Labor Can Win w/ Eric Blanc
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Feb 10, 2025 In this engaging discussion, Eric Blanc, an assistant professor at Rutgers University and author of "We Are the Union," shares insights into revitalizing the U.S. labor movement. He challenges the notion that labor is dead by showcasing the powerful grassroots organizing happening at places like Starbucks and Amazon. Topics include the importance of solidarity in a digital age, navigating workplace surveillance, and transforming labor strategies to engage new workers. Blanc emphasizes the need for collective action to combat rising inequality and advocates for global labor solidarity.
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Labor's Dilemma
- US labor faces a dilemma: it's become a sectoral interest group struggling to organize new members.
- This is partly due to financial constraints, making expansion into new industries costly.
Capitalism's Transformation
- Debates about the changing nature of capitalism affect how we view labor's potential.
- Some argue it hasn't changed much; others emphasize the gig economy's impact, hindering labor organizing.
Worker-to-Worker Organizing
- The 'worker-to-worker' organizing model empowers workers to initiate organizing before union involvement.
- This addresses scalability issues by training worker-leaders, reducing reliance on limited staff.
