On the Line
On the Line is a network of union members and leaders who cover, analyze, and draw lessons from the struggles of workers across the country to build a fighting labor movement. Although the vast majority of workers in the U.S. remain unorganized, union popularity is at its highest since 1965. One of the key drivers of this popularity is a groundswell of interest from a new generation of young workers who are looking to the labor movement as a vehicle to fight against an increasingly bleak future. A labor movement that is content with business as usual will not realize the opportunities of this moment. Instead, we need unions that articulate not only our demands for better pay and working conditions, but can advance our broader political aspirations as a working class. Building a movement that can advance the hopes and dreams of all workers won't be achieved by creating perfect structures and processes in unions that become more marginal with each passing year. It will only be achieved by organizing at a scale and fighting with an intensity that we have not seen in decades.
This is the kind of labor movement that we need.
Our future is on the line.
Latest episodes
Jul 5, 2024 • 32min
Episode 17: June in Review
Unions are winning at a higher rate than they have in 15 years. In June, we saw the largest public sector union victory in 25 years and Waffle House workers won a $3/hour raise which amounts to an over 200% increase for many workers! But the bosses are on the move in the courts to roll back democratic rights and are trying to take us back to the 1930s. What does this mean for us?
In this episode of On the Line, we go through a quick review of the labor struggles in June, including union wins and crimes of big business!
Jun 14, 2024 • 43min
Episode 16: How Union Workers are Taking a Stand for Palestine
In this episode, we're On the Line with Taher Dahleh, member of CWA local 1109 and organizer with PYM, and Yajaira Cuapio, School Social Worker in SFUSD and Executive Board Rep for UESF to discuss the connection between Palestine organizing and the workplace struggle
Jun 7, 2024 • 29min
Episode 15: May in Review
In this episode of On the Line, we go through a quick review of labor struggles in May, featuring updates on the historic academic strike of UAW 4811 workers, a bargaining breakthrough with Starbucks Workers United, and a massive union victory at Disneyland
May 31, 2024 • 25min
Episode 14: From Service to the Auto Industry: Southern Workers Unite and Fight
In this episode, we're On the Line with Naomi Harris, Waffle House worker and founding member of USSW, and Quichelle Liggins, 13 year Hyundai worker in Alabama. We had the opportunity to interview Naomi and Quichelle at the Labor Notes 2024 conference, discussing how southern workers are fighting back from the service industry to auto.
May 17, 2024 • 29min
Episode 12: Inside the First Authorized Pro-Palestine Strike
In this episode we're On the Line with UAW 4811 members and leaders in the UC system to discuss the first authorized pro-Palestine strike.
We're joined by Rafa Jaime, President of UAW 4811 and Academic Student Employee in the English department at UCLA, Anny Viloria Winnett, Graduate Student Researcher and ASE Unit Chair for UAW 4811 in Los Angeles, and Mohammed Alyaseen, Academic Student Employee at UCSD and UAW 4811 member.
May 10, 2024 • 23min
Episode 11: Southern Waffle House Workers Go On Strike!
In this episode we're On the Line with Katie Giede, a 10 year Waffle House worker with USSW in Atlanta to discuss the recent Waffle House strike and why she walked off the job for a better future for her family.
Apr 26, 2024 • 37min
Episode 10: LA Hotel Workers Striking and Winning
In this episode, we're On the Line with Kurt Petersen, Co-President of UNITE HERE Local 11 to discuss the innovative strike tactics of thousands of LA hotel workers and the victories they have secured thus far.
Apr 13, 2024 • 1h 12min
Episode 9: UAW's Massive Campaign in the South and International Solidarity
In this episode of On the Line, we're joined by Brandon Mancilla, UAW Region 9A Director, to discuss UAW's massive campaign to organize non-union auto plants in the South. We also discuss internationalism in the working-class movement, from Mexico to Palestine.
Mar 29, 2024 • 50min
Episode 8: Origins of UC Academic Worker Organizing
In this episode, we're On the Line with Mike Miller, the Director of Region 6 for the United Auto Workers (UAW)! We discuss the origins of academic worker organizing in the University of California system and its connection to the student movement opposing the first U.S. invasion of Iraq.
Mar 16, 2024 • 37min
Episode 7: The Truth Behind "Women's Work"
In this episode, we're On the Line with City University of New York (CUNY) Professor Ruth Milkman, chair of the Labor Studies Department and author of dozens of books with a focus on women in the labor movement. We talk about the unique issues women have faced throughout history and their critical role in coming together to fight back!
