The last few years have seen a wave of labor organizing as it becomes more and more clear to workers that what they do is not expendable, but actually the heart of every business. From walkouts to unionization, workers everywhere, from Starbucks to Amazon to your local coffee shop have come together to build and exercise their power. In this episode we explore the issues that led people to organize their workplaces, the ins and outs and ups and downs of the process, and the backlash.

On the forefront of the next labor revolution, we visit a coffee shop in Maine called Little Dog whose staff starts a union. Then we talk to Robert Chala from the UCLA Labor Center about the rise in unionization efforts among service workers and the social and cultural ethos in a post lockdown country that have led to this new wave of the labor movement.

Learn more about the story and find the transcript on radioproject.org.

Making Contact is an award-winning, nationally syndicated radio show and podcast featuring narrative storytelling and thought-provoking interviews. We cover the most urgent issues of our time and the people on the ground building a more just world. 

EPISODE FEATURES: Robert Chlala, an Assistant Professor, CSU Long Beach & Visiting Researcher at UCLA Labor Center and Jessica Czarnecki, Sydney, Sophie, and Kira, all workers at Little Dog Cafe.

MAKING CONTACT: This episode is hosted by Salima Hamirani with reporting by Jules Bradley. It is produced by Anita Johnson, Lucy Kang, Salima Hamirani, and Amy Gastelum. Our executive director is Jina Chung.

MUSIC:  This episode includes “Industrial Zone” by Bio Unit, “Stay Quiet” by Monplaisir, “Bleu” by Komiku, “Leap Second” by Doctor Turtle, and “Which Side Are You On” by Pete Seeger.

 

Learn More: 

UCLA Labor Center
Little Dog Employees Lawsuit
Brunswick coffee shop strike ends with potential change in ownership