Worker Power in the Fight Against Authoritarianism, a conversation with PowerSwitch Action's Lauren Jacobs

In this conversation with Lauren Jacobs from PowerSwitch Action, the discussion focuses on the role of worker power in combating authoritarianism. Lauren and host Koki Mendis explore the allure of reactionary anti-state narratives in explaining worker precarity and how labor organizing can present counter-narratives and options for reducing worker suffering. They also discuss the barriers to unionization posed by corporations, the relationship between worker organizing and the presidential administrations, and the impact of municipal and county governing structures on worker power formation.

EPISODE RESOURCES:

• “Austerity Kills,” a PRA Webinar featuring Saqib Bhatti, Lauren Jacobs, Daniel HoSang, and Donald Cohen, 2020. 
• “Precarity: The American Way,” a PRA Webinar featuring Aislinn Pulley, Jessica Quiason, and Gabriel Winant, 2021. 
• “Who Works for the Workers?” by Gabriel Winant, n+1, 2016.
• “Seizing Labor’s Moment w/ Alex Press & Eric Blanc,” The Dig, 2023.  
• “How to Build a Fighting Labor Movement w/ Jane McAlevey,” The Dig, 2023. 
• “On the Line w/ Daisy Pitkin,” The Dig, 2022. 

EPISODE KEYWORDS:

Worker Power, Labor Organizing, Labor Strikes, National Labor Relations Act, Community Organizing, Unions, Corporations, Union Busting, Capitalism, Authoritarianism.