Jacobin Radio Jacobin Radio: Louisiana Labor Struggle w/ Jesse Baum & David Williams
Oct 21, 2025
Jesse Baum, a freelance reporter focusing on retail organizing, and David Williams, a Dollar General worker and organizer with Step Up Louisiana, discuss the labor struggle in 'right-to-work' states. They delve into the power of pre-majority unionism, highlighting how Dollar Store workers achieved safety audits and wage increases despite significant challenges. David shares compelling stories from the front lines, including a shareholder protest that made waves. Together, they explore how small victories can ignite broader labor movements across low-wage sectors.
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From Customer To Organizer
- David Williams describes discovering store chaos first as a customer and later as an employee, which pushed him to organize.
- He joined Step Up Louisiana after meeting organizers and committed to fighting for coworkers' rights.
Fire And Rebuilt Neglect
- David recounts a store fire he learned about only after being called by neighbors while off shift.
- He later found the rebuilt store still blocked fire exits, showing persistent safety neglect.
Why Pre-Majority Organizing Emerged
- Pre-majority unionism organizes and wins gains without formal NLRB recognition or majority votes.
- It adapts because employers increasingly gamble on illegal union-busting with little legal penalty.
