Member activism: the future of the labor movement

Organizers “boot camp” held on October 10 at Local 287 in San Jose
Organizers “boot camp” held on October 10 at Local 287 in San Jose

By Pilar Barton, Strategic Organizer

As we search for answers to the challenges we face today, there is a reality we cannot overlook: the future of the labor movement depends on rank and file members having a fundamental role in their unions. This is the path to revival.

We have witnessed the ongoing annihilation of jobs in general, not to mention good-paying union jobs. This will sentence the next generation to a poorer and more difficult life. Does our hope for getting out of this crisis lie in devising partnership agreements with employers, building giant megaunions or finding just the right political strategies?

One constructive alternative approach would be building strong rank and file unions. History shows that the largest union growth always occurs when rank and file unionism was dominant. Two ingredients for success have always been enhanced union democracy and consistent involvement by the rank and file.

Union leadership at Joint Council 7 recognizes that building an effective organization requires educating and empowering members. Rather than throttling members’ voices, we have offered opportunities for expanded education and training, knowing that this is the only way to build lasting union power.

We know the stakes are too high to go on with business as usual. On Saturday, October 10, Local 287 hosted the JC7-sponsored, “Organizing Boot Camp” in collaboration with the IBT Training Department. The training was attended by an impressive 208 rank and file Teamsters. The curriculum was designed to equip our members with the basic organizing skills they need on a campaign and there was a lively interchange of ideas. Lessons were designed to prepare rankand- file Teamsters in the fundamentals of organizing, such as researching targets, making first contact, building a committee, using the internet to organize, mobilize, win a majority, and stay organized through to the first contract.

Real union strength comes when members recognize that the union belongs to them and actively work to build a stronger organization. We are happy to report that many of the JC7 locals are currently engaged in active organizing campaigns with the assistance of rank and file organizers.

We can’t describe in specific detail about some of the current active campaigns as that would jeopardize the confidential status and compromise the workers. But here are some of the accomplishments we can talk about:

Local 624

was victorious in the Neil Med election, and will be adding nearly 500 rank and file members to their ranks. They are also close to completing a first contract. Local 624 has other targets in progress, and is keeping organizing a constant priority.

Local 665

is engaged in an organizing campaign for a unit with 50 workers. We will share the details of this campaign when it becomes public. Local 665 is using political leverage to build support for the workers.

Local 856

is involved in several campaigns involving hundreds of workers in both the airline and healthcare industries. The local will be working with rank and file trainees from the organizing boot camp to assist with some of these campaigns.

Local 315

has initiated several campaigns involving warehouse and healthcare workers. This is a strategic decision to organize workers in fields that won’t be decimated by the economy.

Local 912

is beginning a campaign of cold storage workers in two locations.

Local 890

has begun a campaign of a 1,000-plus worker unit. We have completed the research and the local is building a list of worker names and contact information. A house call blitz is being scheduled. Several other locals are conducting strategic organizing campaigns. If you are interested in helping to organize, please contact us at Joint Council 7 : 415-467-7768.