Union Organizing Lessons: Unity and Hope

The inspiring lessons of three union organizing drives offered unity and hope at a roundtable discussion during the “International Workers Day 2023: Organize Now for a Just and Peaceful Future” event hosted by CT People's World .

Jordie Adams, a Starbucks barista, spoke of helping to organize a union at her store in Vernon, proudly announcing that the 300^th store was organized by Starbucks Workers United in 41 states plus DC.

Paul Seltzer, a leader of Local 33 Unite Here and graduate teacher in history at Yale, spoke about their blowout union election with 91% yes votes, gaining recognition from Yale after over 30 years of person to person organizing. They are now negotiating a first contract.

Symone Destin is an 1199 member and a six year group home worker assisting people with disabilities. She is in a contract fight for better working conditions and pensions,  better health care for all group home workers, and better rights for the disabled community she serves. 

When moderator Pearl Granat asked “What do you all have in common?” each panelist stressed their common working class interests and the need for community and solidarity to overcome fear and keep up the fight.

“We all want to be seen and heard. We all want change not just for ourselves but for everyone else, for our communities,” said Destin, telling Adams and Seltzer, “You have both been doing an amazing job.”

“We remind our members that we deserve more than what we are getting and we're fighting with you every single day. We will win,” said Destin.

“We all have to get up every day and make the choice to keep fighting,” said Seltzer. “We do it because we know we deserve more. All our campaigns have had to link up with other unions and other groups,” he observed.

“Local 33 won because we had support from Unite Here Locals 34, 35 217, and other groups. We had a shared analysis about how to build power together and then take action together,” he said.

Adams agreed. “We have to unite store by store, there are 9000 Starbucks stores in the U.S. It' s exhausting but we care about what we're doing and it s worth the fight. The struggle is real and we are moving forward.”