Socialists at Work: Life as a Rank-and-File Labor Organizer

Start: 2020-11-11 20:00:00 UTC Eastern Daylight Time (US & Canada) (GMT-04:00)

This is a virtual event

At the center of YDSA's strategy and theory of change is the centrality of the labor movement and the need to rebuild it through democratic and militant unions. As YDSA members we have a role to play in this critical task. However, since YDSA is often focused on campus issues, labor outside of the campus is often overlooked.

This leaves many YDSA members in a position where they are unsure of how to pursue the socialist struggle outside of their high school and college years.

Many are faced with the question of what to do next. Should YDSA students take any random job and begin to do organizing on the side or is there a strategic option of entering high-impact fields to build working-class power?

On Wednesday, November 11th at 8:00 PM ET we’ll be joined by four rank-and-file labor organizers and DSA members to talk about what it’s like to be a socialist at work as a rank-and-file labor organizer in their industry.

Ashley Payne is a County social services worker, an elected leader in SEIU 1021, and a central labor council delegate. Ashley is also a member of East Bay DSA and is co-chair of DSA’s Democratic Socialist Labor Commission Steering Committee.

John Pearson RN is an Emergency Room nurse, President of the Highland Hospital Chapter of SEIU 1021, and a member of East Bay DSA.

Keon Liberato is a railroad worker, President of BMWED-IBT 3012, and member of Philly DSA. Keon also serves on DSA’s National Political Committee.

Rebecca Garelli is a Science and STEM educator, Phoenix DSA member, founding member and organizer with Arizona Educators United and National Educators United, and a member of the Democratic Socialist Labor Commission Steering Committee.