Night School: Labor

The labor movement has long been the centerpiece of Leftist politics. For more than a century, unions were at the core of the socialist movement, a fact confirmed by the many ways capitalists attacked worker-based movements and persecuted organizers. Even so, some commentators have suggested that we focus elsewhere, given the rise of information-based economies and decline of unionized workforce in the United States. In this session, Philly DSA will ask: should the labor movement still be central to socialist theory and politics? If so, what avenues are left for such organizing?

Readings

• Paul Prescod (head of PHL DSA's Labor Branch!!), A Labor Day History of America, Home of America’s First General Strike
• Chris Maisano, Public Sector Unions After Janus
• Sam Gindin, Beyond Social Movement Unionism