The reviews are in! Three weeks ago UE released “Them and Us Unionism,” a new publication which outlines in detail UE’s philosophy of unionism, developed over more than eight decades of struggle. Here is what some of our closest allies, in the U.S. and around the world, are saying about it:
I commend the UE for their work in showing the path to building a stronger, more resilient and militant labour movement. I encourage all union members to read “Them and Us Unionism” for a wealth of timely ideas and principles to build the workers' movement we need to rise to the challenges of our times.
—Jerry Dias, National President, Unifor
In “Them and Us Unionism,” UE has laid out a vision and principles for unionism that, while informed by the history of one union, is relevant to all working people building unions to meet the demands of the 21st century. As Canada's largest private-sector union, with members working in every major sector of the economy, we can say with confidence that the principles of aggressive struggle, rank and file control, political independence, international solidarity, and uniting all workers are relevant to every union struggle. We look forward to continuing to work with UE to promote these principles in the North American labor movement.
—Lana Payne, National Secretary-Treasurer, Unifor
The UE’s “Them and Us Unionism” pamphlet perfectly frames what union leaders and rank-and-file workers need to understand about the relationship between bosses and workers. Decades of so called “labor-management partnerships” and “win-win bargaining” have not saved unions from concessions and decline. It really is us (workers) versus them (bosses). The UE knows it, and they know what to do about it: organize and fight back. Every worker and union leader in America needs to read this pamphlet.
—Bonnie Castillo, Executive Director, National Nurses United
We are in a new Gilded Age, facing an alliance of the capital class and authoritarian leaders. The antidote is a militant labor movement, built on real solidarity. A vibrant, unafraid labor movement like the one described in “Them and Us Unionism” can strengthen real democracy and build working class power for the 21st century. Forward ever!
—Sara Nelson, President, Association of Flight Attendants-CWA
The CTU couldn't agree more with the UE approach to class struggle, we embrace it wholeheartedly. There is no way to win the schools our children deserve if we don't tie our fates to those of the greater community, combat educational apartheid and advance the broader struggle for racial justice. It's why we strike for social workers, homes for the homeless and decent wages for those both inside and outside our bargaining unit.
—Jackson Potter, social studies teacher, Back of The Yards High and Trustee, Chicago Teachers Union
UE is undoubtedly a true democratic union and its democracy takes the form of an inverse pyramid. At the top are those who make the decisions: the workers. At the bottom you'll find the stewards and presidents who obey the decisions made by the membership. This democratic practice is fundamental for allowing the true generators of wealth, the workers, to feel that they are part of the union and that it is theirs. I recommend that all workers not only read this important booklet but carry it always and study it in order to understand why UE has stood against capitalism, is not dependent on the government, and is still alive and kicking 84 years after its birth.
—Eladio Abundiz, National Coordinator, Authentic Labor Front (FAT), Mexico
“Them and Us Unionism” is very inspiring and tells us a lot about rank-and-file trade unionism in the U.S. I am proud that we have many challenges and aspirations in common, and share many principles, particularly international solidarity. We are committed to transforming business unionism, and our solidarity will be key to transforming our outdated neo-liberal economic system and globalization.
—Keisuke FUSE, Deputy Secretary General, Zenroren, Japan
I’ve just finished reading it with much enthusiasm. I found it very easy to read, well-illustrated and full of useful information. I love the tone and the way you managed to explain what class struggle is all about in a lively manner and how it is relevant in 2020.
—Chantal Ide, Vice-présidente, Conseil central du Montréal métropolitain (CSN), Quebec
"Them and Us Unionism's" call for the labor movement to mobilize union and community members to confront corporate greed in the workplace and in the streets is the call to action we've been waiting for. The section on "Aggressive struggle" is a must-read for labor and community activists to help us dream, organize, and fight for a better world and to take on the fight of our lives. The UE shows us the way: organize, build stewards and leaders, demonstrate unity, mobilize, and take militant action. To break corporate control over our workplaces, communities, and lives, we all must commit to this aggressive struggle.
—Lily Huang, Co-Director, Massachusetts Jobs With Justice
Our two unions – UE and ILWU – have a long, shared history together going back to the 1930s and ‘40s. We organized in basic industries where it once seemed impossible, helped set new standards for organized labor, centered fights for racial justice and women’s equality, and built a powerful social movement around the Congress of Industrial Organizations.
And we suffered great losses too, relentlessly hounded and persecuted during the McCarthy period for practicing genuine trade unionism. The UE and ILWU were the first and last unions expelled from the CIO from 1949-50, and the only two to survive to this day. We made it this far by sticking to our guiding principles and it’s those same principles that are going to help rebuild the labor movement today.
That’s why this new publication is so timely and important. “Them and Us Unionism” lays out what it means to be a trade unionist and ought to be required reading for every worker.
—Zack Pattin, International Longshore and Warehouse Union Local 23 rank and file member
The new publication has also received press coverage. Labor historian Jeff Schuhrke wrote in the magazine Jacobin that:
UE’s history and philosophy offer an insight into what the US labor movement could have been in the second half of the twentieth century — and what it could be today. The union is at once a reminder of a bygone, heroic era of labor history, and a prototype of the kind of movement workers can organize in the twenty-first century.
Labor Notes Assistant Editor Dan DiMaggio interviewed two leaders of UE Local 1018 about how “Rank and File Control,” one of the core principles of “Them and Us Unionism,” works in practice:
“A lot of people thought that a union was just going to swoop in, have a structure in place, and fight the bosses on our behalf,” said [Local 1018 President Anthony] Bucci. “But when they say 'our members run this union'—it really does mean that. From the very creation of our union local it has been people who work at our center coming together—not some representative from UE International, or some bigtime labor lawyer.”
“When we got introduced to UE nationally, that’s really where we found out what rank and file means: it was really us members running our union in every aspect,” said [Local 1018 Vice President Kirsis] Morillo. “Forming the contract, having all these committees, managing the finances of the union, making the decisions about what we’re supporting—that’s up to our membership.
In mid-August, UE General President Carl Rosen joined the Dead Pundits Society podcast to talk about the booklet (Rosen is on second, starting just before the 38-minute mark):
“Them and Us Unionism” is available online at www.ueunion.org/ThemAndUs. Printed copies can be purchased at the new UE Online Store.