Activists in unions and social movements live lives of mixed results made up of inspired campaigns, losses along the way, the occasional news-breaking win and a great deal of hard work in between.
Jane McAlevey’s online networking program “Organizing for Power: Strike School!” addresses this directly, with a particular focus on unions and union organising.
McAlevey’s deep organising strategy is designed to rebuild grassroots power in union, community and social movements. In workplaces, it focuses on developing “super-majorities” over time through the systematic organisation of networks of work units with leaders thrown up by the struggle.
McAlevey promotes an organising approach that involves workers and communities in meaningful and effective collective action. Her strategy is gaining followers in the United States in the wake of several successes: teacher unions in Virginia, Los Angeles, Toronto and Chicago have implemented deep organising with great effect since 2012. Health, telecommunication, hotel and public service workers have also adopted deep organising strategies and have re-built bases in those unions.
“Organizing for Power: Strike School!” is reaching out in September and October and running rolling online training sessions. Activists can sign up on designated dates in late September and October.
Sessions on September 24 and 29 and October 1, 6, 8 and 13 will engage participants in practice- orientated role plays and exercises. Although group registration is strongly encouraged, individuals can register on a waiting list.
[Jeremy Smith is a member of the Federation University Australia branch of the National Tertiary Education Union. More information and registration details are available here.]