Factually! with Adam Conover

Can Unions Make a Comeback? with Hamilton Nolan

May 15, 2024

Labor journalist Hamilton Nolan and Adam Conover discuss the challenges facing the labor movement, including high public support but declining union membership. They explore the historical dynamics, power struggles, and strategies for workers to find solidarity across various trades.

01:13:18

Episode guests

Hamilton Nolan

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Episode notes

Podcast summary created with Snipd AI

Quick takeaways

Successful organizing efforts can lead to impactful changes in laws and benefits for workers.

A progressive leader like Sarah Nelson can shape the labor movement's priorities towards employee empowerment and political engagement.

Prioritizing worker organizing and utilizing strikes are essential for revitalizing and strengthening the labor movement.

Deep dives

The Power of Organizing Childcare Workers in California

An inspiring 20-year campaign successfully organized 40,000 childcare workers in California. These workers, largely immigrant women, were paid a state subsidy below the cost of providing childcare. Organizing efforts led to changes in the law, securing healthcare, PPE, and training funds for workers. The union contract negotiation began, addressing crucial issues that were previously ignored.

Introduction

2min

Analyzing the State of the American Labor Movement

5min

The Rise and Fall of Labor Union Power

5min

Challenges in Labor Negotiations

16min

Organizing Challenges and Triumphs in Unionizing Home Childcare Workers in California

16min

Exploring the Power Dynamics of Unions and Labor Movement

5min

Empowering Workers Through Collective Action

13min

Promotional segment discussing the Washington Post and Carmax

2min

Empowering Workers Through Collective Action

14min

10.

Empowering Workers Through Organizing and Solidarity

3min

The labor movement is in a state of flux. Support for unions is the highest it's been in decades, including the explict support of the Biden administration, yet actual union membership has plummeted to a historical low. With only 10% of the workforce unionized, is the labor movement missing its best chance to organize more workers? This week Adam sits with Hamilton Nolan, labor journalist and author of The Hammer: Power, Inequality, and the Struggle for the Soul of Labor, to reconcile the popular support of unions with the grim reality of declining membership. They discuss what led to the current moment we find ourselves in, and the best strategies for workers to find solidarity no matter their trade. Find Hamilton's book at at factuallypod.com/books

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