The New Labor Activism, a New Labor Sociology

Abstract

This symposium issue of Work and Occupations on “The New Labor Activism” develops a new generation of labor sociology research for comprehending and sustaining the contemporary labor mobilization in the U.S., the largest labor mobilization since the 1930s. The symposium responds to the question raised in the June, 2022 report of the Worker Empowerment Research Network about the sustainability of the new labor activism. The symposium essays focus on the themes of “history,” “intersectionality,” “worker agency,” and “hierarchy” and continue the post-World War II transition of the field from a union-centered toward a worker-centered labor sociology.

Queer Working-Class Politics and the U.S. Labor Movement

“…73 In this daunting moment, it is no wonder that many labor advocates find hope in young, diverse workers organizing behemoths from Starbucks to Amazon. 74 However, those who are inspired by today's queer working-class politics would benefit from thinking structurally and historically about the opportunities and pitfalls that such a politics entails. The slogan "an injury to one is an injury to all" directs one's attention not just to the particulars of one group of workers' hardships but also to the fundamental class interests shared by LGBTQ+ and all other workers.…”