Labor Notes

@labornotes.bsky.social

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Putting the movement back in the labor movement since 1979. linktr.ee/labornotes

Flowers with text message reading: Bosses want to fix the worker. Unions want to fix the job.
Rose with text reading: Organizing is not a demand, but an invitation
A graphic with text that reads, "the Labor Notes podcast." The word "LIVE" is in all caps and against a mango yellow spiky bubble. Against a grainy, wavy blue background is the cut out photo of pod co-hosts Natascha Elena Uhlmann (left) and Danielle Smith, who is holding up her phone to the mic as it plays the Labor Notes Podcast intro song.
A graphic of the July Stewards' Workshop on the topic of "Assertive Grievance Handling." It features a photo a worker sitting at a table, gesturing while speaking to them. Around them are other crowded tables of workers similarly engaging in discussions.
A graphic for the Labor Notes Podcast that reads: "Hollywood can't stop making secret labor moves." It features a picture of a great white shark wearing a Labor Notes hat while spitting up water, Woody, the cowboy toy from Toy Story wearing a Troublemakers T-shirt, and a hand with its forefinger and thumb pinched and holding up a copy of the new Labor Notes book "Keep Going: A Guide to Organizing When It's Hard."
A graphic for the Labor Notes 2026 wrap-up piece, which features the photos of organizers Paul Osadebe and Emily Lumpkin speaking to a large auditorium packed with workers
A graphic that features a photo of Kim Wooden energizing a large crowd at the Labor Notes Conference. The text on the graphic includes lines from the piece, leading with, "On this 250th anniversary, let's celebrate our underdog tradition. The graphic includes an illustration of boxing gloves making contact, and stickers of hand-drawn star doodles.
Bumper sticker reading: Keep honking! I'm listening to the labor notes podcast, the weekly show from labor notes on rank and file news and organizing tactics.
Delegates stand and applaud at the UAW convention.
A packed room of conference attendees sit in on the "Soul In The Machine: Resisting A.I. Pressure On the Character and Quality of Our Jobs" panel.
A huge assembly of building trades workers pose together with raised fists
A massive gathering of Amazon workers pose together with raised fists behind a banner reading "Justice for All Amazon Workers"
Elise Bryant of the DC Labor Chorus stands in front of a combined supergroup of singers during a special performance at the Labor Notes Fundraising Dinner.
A copy of Labor Notes' June issue next to a program for the 2026 Labor Notes conference and a shirt reading "Solidaridad para siempre"
Conference attendees at gather for a panel on "The Hidden Impacts of A.I.: Building Power In The Semiconductor Supply Chain"
Graphic with text reading "Livestream (parts of) the Labor Notes Conference June 12-14, 2026 Chicago" accompanied by several images of unionists rallying and hoisting up signs.
Blue graphic with the Labor Notes slingshot logo paired with the text, "The Labor Notes Podcast"
UCORE (United Caucuses of Rank-and-File Educators) meeting at the 2026 Labor Notes Conference
Graphic with text reading "Labor Notes Conference June 12-14, 2026 Chicago" accompanied by several images of unionists rallying and hoisting up signs.
UAW members at a rally holding up signs reading "It's Our Time At UAW Local 2093 American Axle" and "UAW Fight For No Concessions." Photo: UAW Region 1D
Oakland Education Association members made a banner for the 'We Can't Wait' campaign. Photo: David Solnit
Rhode Island bus drivers have been passing out flyers to passengers about proposed route cuts and asked them to attend state hearings. Photo: Save RIPTA
Former Honda workers and community supporters gathered for a press conference on Solorio Alcalá's reinstatement. Photo: CEREAL
Graphic reading "The Antidote to Organizing Burnout" featuring headshots of podcast co-hosts Danielle Smith and Natascha Elena Uhlmann and the Labor Notes slingshot logo.
Graphic showcasing the cover of Labor Notes' new book entitled "Running for Local Union Office" that features art of a ballot box and a rally. Graphic also includes the text "New Book!" and "Get your copy at labornotes.org/store"
Blue graphic with text reading "Four Union Strategies to Fight on A.I." accompanied by headshots of Labor Notes podcast co-hosts Danielle Smith and Natascha Elena Uhlmann and the Labor Notes slingshot logo.
Graphic reading "How To Build A Union Reform Caucus" including an image of a unionist hoisting up a sign reading "End Tiers"
Blue graphic promoting the latest Labor Notes Podcast episode with text reading "Building Coalitions That Can Tax The Rich." Graphic also features headshots of podcast co-hosts Danielle Smith and Natascha Elena Uhlmann and Labor Notes' slingshot logo.
Graphic with text reading "New Audiobook!" accompanied by an image of Robert Schwartz's book, The Legal Rights of Union Stewards, wearing headphones. At the bottom of the graphic is the link to where the audiobook can be purchased: www.labornotes.org/legalrightsaudio
Graphic featuring headshots of Labor Notes Podcast co-hosts Danielle Smith and Natascha Elena Uhlmann alongside text reading "How To Have An Actually Good Organizing Conversation," along with Labor Notes' slingshot logo.
Graphic reading "Secret: Picking The Right Issue Can Transform Your Campaign" and featuring headshots of Labor Notes Podcast co-hosts Danielle Smith and Natascha Elena Uhlmann, along with Labor Notes' slingshot logo.
Graphic promoting Labor Notes' upcoming workshop "What to Do When Your Union Breaks Your Heart?" showcasing an image of a unionist holding up a broken heart sign. The graphic reads "Hear from union sisters in the building trades who turned disappointment into momentum!!"
Graphic titled "How to Build a Union Reform Caucus" and including text that reads "Reform caucuses aim to make union leaders more responsive to the needs of the members. Here's how-and when-to build your own." A picture of a union member holding up a sign that says "End Tiers: No 2nd Class Workers" accompanies the text.
This infographic was adapted from our new book, Keep Going: A Guide to Organizing When It's Hard
an organizer must be committed to recognizing and then looking past all divisions
If feelings of tension start to be replaced by friendliness, consideration and respect, then you’ve already begun to change the balance of power.
or going out for beer on a Friday night. But remember that individual conversations are just a bridge to group dialogue, whether it’s coming together at the break table When people are invited to listen to each other in a respectful environment, they can find a sense of shared purpose, and overcome fears of taking action.
The first step in building up a group is having thoughtful one-on-one conversations. They are especially useful in this early stage because some people may be shy about sharing more widely, worried about stirring up trouble, or distrustful of their co-workers. If you keep a fresh and curious ear, you may start to notice some common concerns in your conversations. Is there an issue people care about enough to unify around?
The boss maintains power by keeping workers divided. If they can keep us from and working out our problems together, they’ve won the battle before it even starts.
Title graphic that reads, "Secret: Your Co-Workers Actually Care About Making Your Workplace Better. The image has the Labor Notes slingshot logo on the top left, and pictures of the headshots of co-hosts Natascha Elena Uhlmann and Danielle Smith. There are 3-D versions of the shocked emoji based on the Edvard Munch painting 'The Scream' and the head exploding emoji.
Graphic with text reading "Ratatouille Is An Organizing Movie, Actually." Graphic also features an image of Remy the Rat holding up a sign reading "On Strike."
Flyer promoting the recruitment of educators to create a fun and enriching experience at the 2026 Labor Notes Conference. The job involves approximately 25 hours of paid work at $30/hour and involves working with kids ages 4-12. Flyer also includes a graphic of a teacher speaking to a group of children.
A graphic promoting Labor Notes' upcoming two-part online workshop series entitled "Winning a Strong Contract," held on Tuesday, April 14 and Tuesday, April 21 both at 7:30pm Eastern Time. The graphic is accompanied by an image of union members having a discussion around a table.
A graphic promoting Labor Notes' workshop on April 13th, entitled "Dealing With Difficult Supervisors" intended for union stewards to "talk about strategies for handling bad management." The workshop will be held via Zoom at 8pm ET on 04/13 and you can register at labornotes.org/events.
A graphic for the Labor Notes Podcast episode with the text, "Meatpacking workers extend their strike." The graphic features a grainy blue and white background with images overlaid of Natascha Elena Uhlmann, Lisa Xu, Caitlyn Clark and Danielle Smith (from left to right). The Labor Notes slingshot logo is on the top left.
A graphic featuring the cover of Ellen David Friedman's new book "Keep Going: A Guide to Organizing When it's Hard." The graphic includes a blue and silver layer on top of which is the following text: "NEW RELEASE! Keep Going: A Guide to Organizing When It's Hard By Ellen David Friedman. Up to 40% off on Bulk Orders."
April Fools! Don't miss our upcoming workshop on Winning a Strong Contract, April 14 and 21.
Win more by asking your boss nicely
Graphic making several arguments in favor of pushing a demand for a four-day workweek in the A.I. era, including that 1) promotes the idea that the benefits of new technology can flow outward, not just upward, 2) that the demand for shorter hours is something shared by workers across different sectors and unions, making a good vehicle for building solidarity and militancy, 3) that there exists sizeable cross-partisan political support for the idea, ad 4) that defensive tactics alone will not secure labor's power. Graphic is accompanied by an image of worker holding a Kickstarter United sign, this being among the unions that have already won a four-day workweek.
Graphic with text reading "What is the role of a union reform caucus?" accompanied by head-shots of Labor Notes Podcast co-hosts Danielle Smith and Natascha Elena Uhlmann.
Graphic showcasing text that reads "One Year of the Labor Notes Podcast" paired with headshots of the podcast co-hosts Danielle Smith and Natascha Elena Uhlmann.
A graphic promoting the story, "Four Union Strategies to fight AI." The graphic highlights four strategies: "Name the Problem," "Ransom it," "Unionize It" and "Block it." The graphic, which has a shimmery purple, red and blue color scheme, also features a cut-out image of a nurse in sunglasses holding up a sign that says, "Trust nurses, not A.I."
Flyer promoting Labor Notes' "What to Do When Your Union Breaks Your Heart" workshop on Tuesday, March 17 at 7:30pm Eastern. A cartoon of a union member holding up a broken heart sign is accompanied with a speech balloon reading "Hear from two workers who've changed their union through open bargaining."
Flow chart detailing whether or not to start a union reform caucus.
Flyer advertising an "Online Stewards' Workshop" to discuss investigating grievances. The online event is scheduled for Monday, March 16th at 8pm Eastern. You can find out more at labornotes.org/events.
A graphic for our March 2026 issue of the Labor Notes magazine, with the cover story, "Volkswagen Workers Win a Union Contract at Last."
A title graphic for this week's Labor Notes Podcast episode: "Organizing is an antidote to Despair."