Unionizing Your Workplace
Session Type(s): Caucus/Roundtable
Starts: Thursday, Jul. 11 11:15 AM
Ends: Thursday, Jul. 11 12:15 PM
Room: Room 126A
For decades, the labor movement has been in danger as corporate forces off-shored industries, as the Right attacked workers rights, and as union density and power at the bargaining table and the voting booth declined. But, we are now in the midst of a historic labor renaissance as Millennials, women, and people of color reimagine worker solidarity and boost the ranks of union membership for the first time since the 70s. However, if progressives are to genuinely advance worker power, we also have to look internally and acknowledge the abuses and barriers to workers rights in our own organizations. Attendees will hear from Progressive Workers Union and other new labor leaders on how we can transform our workplaces and campaigns.
Moderators
Neha Mathew-Shah
Neha is the President of Progressive Workers Union (PWU), which is striving towards equity and justice for workers, by harnessing the collective power of its membership. Neha is also the International Representative for the Environmental Justice and Community Partnerships Program at the Sierra Club.
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Founded in 1992, the Progressive Workers’ Union (PWU) represents over 200 staff across the United States and Puerto Rico. PWU’s membership base includes organizers, fundraisers, campaign representatives, communications professionals, digital strategists, policy experts, legal assistants, and IT professionals.
Anthony Torres
Anthony Torres is the Sierra Club’s Campaign Strategist for a Living Economy. His work focuses on uplifting bold grassroots policies aimed at aggressively reducing emissions, centering racial equity, and creating a new worker and community-driven clean energy economy. He’s been named as one of Grist.org’s Top 50 Fixers for 2017 for his efforts to build a united, multiracial front and is also a 2017 recipient of the Brower Youth Award for his organizing against the moral corruption of the Trump Administration and the failed sell out politics of Wall St. Democrats.