What would it take to topple Amazon? To change how health care works in America? To break up the media monopolies that have taken hold of our information and imaginations? How is it possible to organize those without hope working on the margins?

John Womack’s new book Labor Power and Strategy explores these questions and more, and his lively, illuminating thoughts are built upon by ten labor organizers and educators, three of whom join him in this discussion about the book, hosted by Ella Baker School of Organising:

Katy Fox Hodess, is a Lecturer in Employment Relations at the University of Sheffield, and the Research Development Director of the Centre for Decent Work.

Gene Bruskin, is a 45-year veteran of the labor movement. He has been a local union president, as well as an organizer and campaign coordinator for numerous local and national unions. He has also done extensive international labor solidarity work. He has written and produced three musicals for workers since retirement, most recently The Return of John Brown.

Peter Olney, is a retired director of organising for the International Longshore and Warehouse Union (ILWU). He was Associate Director of the University of California’s Institute for Labor and Employment (ILE). Olney teaches building trades union organizers.

John Womack Jr. is the Robert Woods Bliss Professor of Latin American History and Economics, emeritus, at Harvard University. He first joined a union, the International Laborers and Hod Carriers, while still in high school. His publications include Zapata and the Mexican Revolution (1968) and Rebellion in Chiapas (1999).

About Labor Power and Strategy

Womack lays out a timely plan for identifying chokepoints and taking advantage of supply chain issues in order to seize and build labor power and solidarity. Interviewed by Peter Olney of the International Longshore and Warehouse Union—Womack’s lively, illuminating thoughts are built upon by ten young labor organizers and educators, whose responses create a rich dialogue and open a space for joyful, achievable change. With stories of triumph that will bring readers to tears this back-pocket primer is an instant classic.

Praise for Labor Power and Strategy

“In Our Revolution we shout, ‘‘When we Organize, We Win,” but organize who and win what? Labor Power and Strategy is a great collection of Womack and 10 organizers debating strategic workplace organizing vs associational or more general organizing at workplaces or in communities. Womack, in a long initial interview and in the conclusion, argues that without organizing workplace chokepoints, we are left with the spontaneous movements that come and go. Several of the 10 organizers essentially argue that the spontaneous can become conscious and long lasting. Grab the book and take up the debate.” —Larry Cohen, board chair Our Revolution, past president, Communications Workers of America

"Put this unique collection of strategic insights into the hands of the new generation of militants excited about revitalizing the US labor movement and 'working-class power' might once again become something other than an abstract slogan in this country. Couldn't be more timely." —Max Elbaum, editor at Convergence Magazine and author of Revolution in the Air: Sixties Radicals Turn to Lenin, Mao and Che

“Labor Power and Strategy is essential reading for activists and organizers seeking to understand how in a constantly changing world of work workers can marshal power." —Elaine Bernard, former executive director Labor and Worklife Program at Harvard Law School