In The Hammer: Power, Inequality and the Struggle for the Soul of Labor, Hamilton Nolan presents a compelling argument that a re-energized labor movement could present the best vehicle for saving American democracy.
As one model, Nolan points to the Culinary Union of Las Vegas, which bends the typical power dynamic to its will, frequently forcing politicians to its feet and exhibiting as much political muscle as either of our two major parties, much of it directed in service of the working class.
“They’re such a good example of almost this military-precision level of organizing. They understood the need to organize the whole industry, and that’s the basis of their power, which they spent 80 years building,” said Nolan, who will read from The Hammer in an event at Two Dollar Radio Headquarters on Thursday, Feb. 22, followed by a moderated conversation with Matter News. “And it’s not easy, right? It’s not something that somebody handed to them on a platter, and it’s not like they had it easier than other unions. They understood their ability to exercise power depended on them winning all of those fights, and so they would go on strike for six years if they needed to. And they’re always organizing internally and training their members to be better union activists. Seeing that constant level of engagement and of willingness to fight is such a good model for any union to take.”