How to Be a Better Human How labor unions create worker power (w/ Margaret Levi)
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Oct 31, 2022 AI Snips
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Union Membership Changed A Comedian's Career
- Chris Duffy described joining the Writers Guild and immediately gaining healthcare, minimum rates, and protections.
- He contrasted unionized TV work with unpaid or poorly paid gigs and felt solidarity transformed his treatment and expectations.
Craft Roots To Industrial Power
- Margaret Levi traces modern unions from medieval guilds to craft and then industrial unions during industrialization.
- Industrial unions organized entire industries (e.g., auto, steel) and enabled large-scale militant actions like sit-down strikes in the 1930s.
Unions Built Core Social Protections
- Levi emphasizes unions fought for broad social gains beyond member pay, like the weekend, Social Security, and healthcare.
- These victories came from unions' political engagement, not just workplace bargaining.