The Labor Movement Refuses to Be Destroyed By Trump with Julie Su

Key takeaways

The labor movement is facing severe challenges that threaten workers' rights, largely due to actions taken by the Trump administration.
Solidarity and collective action are essential components for labor movements to thrive, and workers must recognize their own power.
Union leaders have a responsibility to fight not just for their members, but for all workers, advocating for policies that benefit the entire labor force.
A strong labor movement requires engagement, education, and activism at all levels, fostering a sense of solidarity among workers.
Transformative change in the labor landscape is possible if workers mobilize and support one another.

Summary

The State of the Labor Movement Today

Adam Conover opens the episode discussing his deep concern for the current state of the labor movement in America, especially in light of recent actions by the Trump administration, which have been detrimental to labor rights. He highlights how the labor movement once secured crucial worker rights but is facing grave challenges now, leading to a depressing outlook for workers.

Interview with Julie Su

Adam welcomes Julie Su, a prominent labor activist and former acting Secretary of Labor, who shares insights into the current state of labor rights in America. They discuss the significant rollback of protections under the Trump administration, how these changes impact workers, and reflect on the historical context of the labor movement. The tone is both critical of past and present administrations while discovering paths forward.

The Importance of Collective Power

Their conversation dives into the power of collective action within the labor force. Both conclude that, despite recent setbacks, workers still hold the power to enact change. They stress the importance of solidarity and mobilization, encouraging workers to engage in meaningful conversations about their rights and fight for better conditions.

Navigating Current Challenges

Julie highlights the need for unions to expand their outreach and educate more workers about the importance of collective bargaining and union membership. They discuss the responsibility of union leaders to advocate not just for their members but for broader worker rights, emphasizing that benefits for some can uplift all workers.

Call to Action for Workers and Leaders

In the closing segments, both speakers call for a reawakening of labor activism. They encourage listeners to talk to their coworkers about injustices and advocate for better conditions. Julie urges those in positions of power within unions to harness the strengths of their organizations to look beyond immediate needs and strive for a collective benefit.

Show notes

Trump despises the average worker and has spent the past several months doing everything he can to demolish the labor protections that Americans of previous generations fought and died to win. We’re at an inflection point for the future of American labor, with our very livelihoods in the balance. Julie Su has been a civil rights attorney, California’s Labor Commissioner, and then acting Secretary of Labor in the last Biden Administration. Few people in America are better equipped to describe the unique challenges the labor movement faces in this moment and how exactly we can roll up our sleeves to fight back. This week, Adam sits with Julie to get real about what the average American needs to be doing to protect our rights as workers.

--

SUPPORT THE SHOW ON PATREON: https://www.patreon.com/adamconover

SEE ADAM ON TOUR: https://www.adamconover.net/tourdates/

SUBSCRIBE to and RATE Factually! on:

» Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/factually-with-adam-conover/id1463460577

» Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/0fK8WJw4ffMc2NWydBlDyJ

About Headgum: Headgum is an LA & NY-based podcast network creating premium podcasts with the funniest, most engaging voices in comedy to achieve one goal: Making our audience and ourselves laugh. Listen to our shows at https://www.headgum.com.

» SUBSCRIBE to Headgum: https://www.youtube.com/c/HeadGum?sub_confirmation=1

» FOLLOW us on Twitter: http://twitter.com/headgum

» FOLLOW us on Instagram: https://instagram.com/headgum/

» FOLLOW us on TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@headgum

» Advertise on Factually! via Gumball.fm

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.