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
Mar 2, 2024 • 1h 12min
Episode 6: IATSE Hollywood Workers Fight for New Contract
In this episode, we're On the Line with Rhianna Shaheen, an organizer and member of the International Alliance of Theatrical and Stage Employees Local 871 in Los Angeles, to discuss the upcoming contract fight for behind the scenes Hollywood workers off the heels of the actor and writer's strikes. We also discuss how to tackle the age-old response in workplace organizing: "I support, but I just don't have time."
Feb 9, 2024 • 55min
Episode 5: Delta Flight Attendants' Union Drive
In this episode, we're On the Line with Delta flight attendant and organizing committee member, Michael Bearman, to discuss the flight attendant union drive at Delta, the only major airline without unionized flight attendants. We also discuss the history of flight attendant organizing and the array of issues flight attendants face on the job.
Jan 27, 2024 • 48min
Episode 4: Southern Service Workers Fight Back! & Google Layoffs Amidst Record Profits
In this episode, we're On the Line with Union of Southern Service Workers worker leader and 20 year Waffle House employee, Shae Parker, to hear about how Southern service workers are fighting back! We're also joined by Parul Koul, president of Alphabet Workers Union, to talk about the recent wave of Google layoffs despite record profits for the corporation.
Jan 12, 2024 • 1h 24min
Episode 3: From the UAW Sit-Down to Stand-Up & College Athletes Need to Get Paid!
In this episode, we're On the Line with prominent labor historian, Roger Keeran, to talk about UAW organizing then and now. We also talk sports unions and why college athletes need to get paid what they deserve!
Dec 29, 2023 • 1h 2min
Episode 2: Youth Labor Support & Looking Ahead to 2024
Young people approve of unions in record numbers. In this episode, we break down the reason why. We're also on the line with Richard Hooker, Principal Officer of Teamsters Local 623, as we look back at some of the biggest fights in 2023 and discuss what's to come in 2024.
Dec 17, 2023 • 56min
Episode 1: San Francisco educators win big & UAW calls for a ceasefire
In this episode, we're on the line with Nathalie Hrizi, VP of substitutes with United Educators of San Francisco and Desmond Fonseca, graduate student researcher and teaching assistant in the history department at UCLA and member of UAW 2865.
