Thread by @Daniel_J_Galvin

My report on Alt-Labor was just published by @EconomicPolicy: "Alt-Labor’s turn toward politics and public policy to combat the exploitation of low-wage workers: Building power and ‘punching above their weight’" epi.org/215897 #UnequalPower

Alt-labor groups support & organize vulnerable low-wage workers who have found it exceedingly difficult to unionize under current labor law. Over the last 2 decades, they have increasingly turned to politics and policy (vs unions/direct action) to combat workplace exploitation.

In a relatively short amount of time, they have met with an impressive number of policy victories that have created new rights and protections for workers where none previously existed.

They have laid the groundwork for these policy victories by making subtle but important changes to the political environment in which policy decisions are made. They have worked assiduously to build new electorates; broaden the issue agenda; and alter electoral dynamics.

By conventional metrics, the organizations are remarkably weak. How, then, are they managing to make headway?

This study finds that alt-labor groups of all types are working to build three types of power: *power within* their membership bases, *power with* allies in pursuit of expansive issue agendas, and *power to* undertake a wider range of activities through organizational innovation.

Well aware of their many weaknesses and constraints, alt-labor groups are working to leverage and augment their distinctive strengths, building sources of power that they can draw upon in their efforts to alter their political environments and advance their policy goals.

(I spent the last 3 years researching & writing this report. There’s a LOT more that didn’t make it in and will be in my next book!)

My deepest thanks to the organizers and workers who shared their stories and insights with me and for being so generous with their time. Also: @LarryMishel @awh @WsneadIII @BucciSays
@JaniceFine6 @greenhousenyt @hahriehan @ben_kreider
@ChloeThurstonDC @SoRelleM @jbsoss & more.