Jacobin Radio Dig: Building the Union w/ Hannah Srajer
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Feb 1, 2025 Hannah Schreier, the dynamic president of the Connecticut Tenants Union, discusses innovative strategies for building tenant unions by drawing on labor organizing models. She emphasizes the importance of democratic decision-making and collaboration with unions like SEIU 1199NE. The conversation includes the triumph at Blake Street, where tenants achieved Connecticut's first collectively bargained lease, and highlights the challenges faced by tenant unions against eviction and corporate landlords. Together, they inspire hope for collective power in housing advocacy.
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Prioritize Power Over Service
- Build power and organization first, don't just service acute crises.
- Create strong union structures with e-boards, tight structures, and member income.
CTTU Structure and Relationship with SEIU
- CTTU is a statewide union with chapters organized by building, city, or landlord.
- They use 1199's model and are part of the SEIU State Council, giving them significant support.
The 1199 Organizing Model
- The 1199 model emphasizes a clear, teachable, and replicable organizing conversation.
- It focuses on agitation and a concrete plan to win, crucial for gaining support from sharp leaders.