American Worker
@americanwork47.bsky.social
Join the search for The American Worker. Kevin Van Meter: author, labor educator, union organizer, PhD. Books at @akpress.org. Inquiry via workersinquiry.work. Writing at readingstruggles.info.
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In ‘Class Composition in the Cafe Sector’ we hope that by presenting workers’ narratives alongside our analysis of the sector, we can develop a framework for how workplaces in the sector are structured and what tensions exist within them that can aid organising for class struggle.
"Beginning with the 1947 publication of The American Worker pamphlet a new form of “proletarian literature”emerged from the automotive factories and corners of Marxian movements in the US." Apprecaite @maydayrooms hosting my talk last night and the support of those who attended!
November 11, 2025 at 10:50 AM
"Beginning with the 1947 publication of The American Worker pamphlet a new form of “proletarian literature”emerged from the automotive factories and corners of Marxian movements in the US." Apprecaite @maydayrooms hosting my talk last night and the support of those who attended!
Four hours to showtime. Check out @OvetzRobert and @americanwork47.bsky.social on #EconomicUpate chatting about #WorkersInquiry and the labor movement in the US today.
Don't miss and all-new #EconomicUpdate with Robert Ovetz @americanwork47.bsky.social & @profwolff.bsky.social today at 4:30 PM EST on Resurgent #Labor Organizing & #WorkersInquiry Watch it here: www.youtube.com/watch?v=3-re...
Economic Update: Resurgent Labor Organizing
YouTube video by Democracy At Work
www.youtube.com
November 10, 2025 at 4:50 PM
Four hours to showtime. Check out @OvetzRobert and @americanwork47.bsky.social on #EconomicUpate chatting about #WorkersInquiry and the labor movement in the US today.
Ever so enjoyed our panel with Andrew Osborne, Alex Pyne from @bbiunion.bsky.social, @abolisheconomics.bsky.social and myself @americanwork47.bsky.social on workers’ inquiry in the US yesterday. The inquiry continues!
Workers’ Inquiry! From yesterday’s session @histmat.bsky.social with @americanwork47.bsky.social @abolisheconomics.bsky.social and others 😍
November 9, 2025 at 12:16 PM
Ever so enjoyed our panel with Andrew Osborne, Alex Pyne from @bbiunion.bsky.social, @abolisheconomics.bsky.social and myself @americanwork47.bsky.social on workers’ inquiry in the US yesterday. The inquiry continues!
Reposted by American Worker
Attending the Historical Materialism Conference in London?
Join @americanwork47.bsky.social for a free, public talk on The American Worker pamphlet, workers’ inquiry, and the contemporary labor movement!
MayDay Rooms | Monday, 10 November | 19:00
Register >> buff.ly/mCOoGBF
Join @americanwork47.bsky.social for a free, public talk on The American Worker pamphlet, workers’ inquiry, and the contemporary labor movement!
MayDay Rooms | Monday, 10 November | 19:00
Register >> buff.ly/mCOoGBF
November 9, 2025 at 11:45 AM
Attending the Historical Materialism Conference in London?
Join @americanwork47.bsky.social for a free, public talk on The American Worker pamphlet, workers’ inquiry, and the contemporary labor movement!
MayDay Rooms | Monday, 10 November | 19:00
Register >> buff.ly/mCOoGBF
Join @americanwork47.bsky.social for a free, public talk on The American Worker pamphlet, workers’ inquiry, and the contemporary labor movement!
MayDay Rooms | Monday, 10 November | 19:00
Register >> buff.ly/mCOoGBF
Reposted by American Worker
Attending London’s Historical Materialism? Join Common Notions collaborator Kevin Van Meter for a free public talk on The American Worker pamphlet, workers’ inquiry, and the contemporary labor movement at MayDay Rooms in London on Monday 10 November at 19:00!
events.maydayrooms.org/e/71/searchi...
events.maydayrooms.org/e/71/searchi...
November 6, 2025 at 10:36 PM
Attending London’s Historical Materialism? Join Common Notions collaborator Kevin Van Meter for a free public talk on The American Worker pamphlet, workers’ inquiry, and the contemporary labor movement at MayDay Rooms in London on Monday 10 November at 19:00!
events.maydayrooms.org/e/71/searchi...
events.maydayrooms.org/e/71/searchi...
Picked up this tome at the @maydayrooms release event for Ed Emery's new book out now on @pressagit. Not only was it an incredible evening of talks from @sethnotes.bsky.social and the author but the passages read we're really joyful and beautiful during these dark times. #workersinquiry
November 6, 2025 at 1:43 AM
Picked up this tome at the @maydayrooms release event for Ed Emery's new book out now on @pressagit. Not only was it an incredible evening of talks from @sethnotes.bsky.social and the author but the passages read we're really joyful and beautiful during these dark times. #workersinquiry
Reposted by American Worker
Happy pub day to NOTES TOWARD A DIGITAL WORKERS' INQUIRY!
"An exemplary demonstration of how inquiry can function simultaneously as a mode of collective action and a form of critical theory." —Leopoldina Fortunati, THE ARCANA OF REPRODUCTION
buff.ly/QVbuVFe
"An exemplary demonstration of how inquiry can function simultaneously as a mode of collective action and a form of critical theory." —Leopoldina Fortunati, THE ARCANA OF REPRODUCTION
buff.ly/QVbuVFe
November 4, 2025 at 5:55 PM
Happy pub day to NOTES TOWARD A DIGITAL WORKERS' INQUIRY!
"An exemplary demonstration of how inquiry can function simultaneously as a mode of collective action and a form of critical theory." —Leopoldina Fortunati, THE ARCANA OF REPRODUCTION
buff.ly/QVbuVFe
"An exemplary demonstration of how inquiry can function simultaneously as a mode of collective action and a form of critical theory." —Leopoldina Fortunati, THE ARCANA OF REPRODUCTION
buff.ly/QVbuVFe
Reposted by American Worker
come chat and scheme with us at HM on saturday!
Getting excited for this years @histmat.bsky.social conference in London and participating in the @notesfrombelow.bsky.social stream on Workers and Capital. #workersinquiry
November 4, 2025 at 4:46 PM
come chat and scheme with us at HM on saturday!
Check it out: www.readingstruggles.info/post/london-...
November 4, 2025 at 4:02 PM
Check it out: www.readingstruggles.info/post/london-...
“What is interesting is that [The American Worker] pamphlet was a ‘new form of proletarian literature' and predicts the emergence of an entire working-class culture talking about work, an entire zine culture talking about people's lives and experiences."
November 4, 2025 at 3:21 PM
“What is interesting is that [The American Worker] pamphlet was a ‘new form of proletarian literature' and predicts the emergence of an entire working-class culture talking about work, an entire zine culture talking about people's lives and experiences."
“Amplifying forms of informal and formal organizing the workplace, amplifying and circulating struggles and informal practices of time theft or insubordination, all those things can only be understood from the perspective of the workers themselves." On the @librarypunk.bsky.social
November 3, 2025 at 4:42 PM
“Amplifying forms of informal and formal organizing the workplace, amplifying and circulating struggles and informal practices of time theft or insubordination, all those things can only be understood from the perspective of the workers themselves." On the @librarypunk.bsky.social
Join us at @maydayrooms in London on Monday 10 November for an event on a new form of proletarian literature that emerged from American automotive plants in 1947.
Please register here and tell all your friends: events.maydayrooms.org/e/71/searchi...
Please register here and tell all your friends: events.maydayrooms.org/e/71/searchi...
November 2, 2025 at 2:12 PM
Join us at @maydayrooms in London on Monday 10 November for an event on a new form of proletarian literature that emerged from American automotive plants in 1947.
Please register here and tell all your friends: events.maydayrooms.org/e/71/searchi...
Please register here and tell all your friends: events.maydayrooms.org/e/71/searchi...
Take a listen! Joined hosts Justin and Jay on the @librarypunk.bsky.social podcast to chat about The American Worker pamphlet, Grace Lee Boggs and Phil Singer, Karl Marx and CLR James, workers’ inquiry and organizing in the US, and neighboring topics. Thanks to for having me on!
November 1, 2025 at 2:48 PM
Take a listen! Joined hosts Justin and Jay on the @librarypunk.bsky.social podcast to chat about The American Worker pamphlet, Grace Lee Boggs and Phil Singer, Karl Marx and CLR James, workers’ inquiry and organizing in the US, and neighboring topics. Thanks to for having me on!
When Marxist and author of The Black Jacobins: Toussaint L’Ouverture and the San Domingo Revolution, CLR James was asked to reflect on his own political development he reportedly said that “he didn’t really understand what it meant to be revolutionary until he went to Ireland.”
October 31, 2025 at 4:42 PM
When Marxist and author of The Black Jacobins: Toussaint L’Ouverture and the San Domingo Revolution, CLR James was asked to reflect on his own political development he reportedly said that “he didn’t really understand what it meant to be revolutionary until he went to Ireland.”
Excited to offer our Workers’ Inquiry to Organize and Fight the Boss along with @OvetzRobert in San Fransciso on Sunday, December 7 as part of the Howard Zinn Book Fair. #WorkersInquiry #BookFair
October 31, 2025 at 2:43 AM
Excited to offer our Workers’ Inquiry to Organize and Fight the Boss along with @OvetzRobert in San Fransciso on Sunday, December 7 as part of the Howard Zinn Book Fair. #WorkersInquiry #BookFair
Café, nonprofit, and public and private sector workers are on the move—refusing current regimes of work, fighting bosses and organizing unions, speaking about their working lives and demanding workplace democracy. Join @americanwork47.bsky.social and @OvetzRobert in the Bay Area in December.
October 30, 2025 at 3:18 PM
Café, nonprofit, and public and private sector workers are on the move—refusing current regimes of work, fighting bosses and organizing unions, speaking about their working lives and demanding workplace democracy. Join @americanwork47.bsky.social and @OvetzRobert in the Bay Area in December.
Tour 2025! Offering workshops and public talks on workers' inquiry, The American Worker pamphlet, CLR James, and the contemporary labor movement in the US this November to be held in London, Edinburgh, Dublin and Belfast. Tell all your friends: www.readingstruggles.info/post/london-...
October 28, 2025 at 2:05 PM
Tour 2025! Offering workshops and public talks on workers' inquiry, The American Worker pamphlet, CLR James, and the contemporary labor movement in the US this November to be held in London, Edinburgh, Dublin and Belfast. Tell all your friends: www.readingstruggles.info/post/london-...
Beginning with the 1947 publication of The American Worker pamphlet a new form of “proletarian literature”emerged from the automotive factories and corners of Marxian movements in the United States. Quite pleased to be speaking about it at @maydayrooms in London on November 10th. Join us after HM!
October 28, 2025 at 1:46 PM
Beginning with the 1947 publication of The American Worker pamphlet a new form of “proletarian literature”emerged from the automotive factories and corners of Marxian movements in the United States. Quite pleased to be speaking about it at @maydayrooms in London on November 10th. Join us after HM!
Only one hour to go. Can't wait to listen to my comrades @abolisheconomics.bsky.social and Alex Pyne from Blue Bottle Independent Union talk about workers inquiry on #EconomicUpdate!
Tomorrow's #EconomicUpdate w/ @profwolff.bsky.social "#Union Organizing In Today's U.S." features @abolisheconomics.bsky.social & Alex Pyne from @bbiunion.bsky.social ! @democracyatwork.bsky.social #democracyatwork #labor #workersinquiry
Watch it here: tinyurl.com/hwu8s3jf
Watch it here: tinyurl.com/hwu8s3jf
Economic Update: Union Organizing In Today's U.S.
[EU S15 E43] Union Organizing In Today's U.S. This week on Economic Update, Professor Wolff delivers updates on the impending U.S. recession, JP Morgan admits failures of the neoliberal period as it turns nationalist, and the causes of mass shootings in the U.S. In the second half of today’s show, Professor Wolff interviews two young U.S. union organizers and their organizing method of "workers inquiry": Alex Pyne of the Blue Bottle Independent Union and Anastasia Wilson of Hobart and William Smith Colleges. We hope you enjoy this discussion and look forward to joining you next week for another all-new episode of Economic Update. Economic Update with Richard D. Wolff is a DemocracyatWork.info Inc. production. We make it a point to provide the show free of ads and rely solely on viewer support to continue doing so. You can support our work by joining our Patreon community: https://www.patreon.com/democracyatwork Or you can go to our website: https://www.democracyatwork.info/donate You can also sign up as a paid subscriber to our Substack: https://democracyatwork.substack.com/ Every donation counts and helps us provide a larger audience with the information they need to better understand the events around the world that they can't get anywhere else. We want to thank our devoted community of supporters who help make this show and the others we produce possible each week. We kindly ask you to also support the work we do by encouraging others to subscribe to our YouTube channel and website: www.democracyatwork.info Professor Wolff's latest book, "Understanding Capitalism," is available now for purchase: https://linktr.ee/understandingcapitalism
tinyurl.com
October 27, 2025 at 7:32 PM
Only one hour to go. Can't wait to listen to my comrades @abolisheconomics.bsky.social and Alex Pyne from Blue Bottle Independent Union talk about workers inquiry on #EconomicUpdate!
Getting excited for this years @histmat.bsky.social conference in London and participating in the @notesfrombelow.bsky.social stream on Workers and Capital. #workersinquiry
October 25, 2025 at 9:26 PM
Getting excited for this years @histmat.bsky.social conference in London and participating in the @notesfrombelow.bsky.social stream on Workers and Capital. #workersinquiry
Reposted by American Worker
@sbworkersunited.org members are electing strike captains and getting customers to pledge not to cross picket lines. They’re amassing in front of stores with signs, borrowing a slogan from UPS Teamsters: “Just Practicing for a Just Contract.” labornotes.org/2025/10/stri...
Strike Captains and Practice Pickets: Starbucks Workers Aim to Bring a Contract Home
Unionized Starbucks workers are electing strike captains and getting customers to pledge they won't cross picket lines. They’re amassing in front of stores with picket signs, borrowing a slogan that U...
labornotes.org
October 21, 2025 at 7:23 PM
@sbworkersunited.org members are electing strike captains and getting customers to pledge not to cross picket lines. They’re amassing in front of stores with signs, borrowing a slogan from UPS Teamsters: “Just Practicing for a Just Contract.” labornotes.org/2025/10/stri...
A month from today, I will be giving at talk in Dublin, Ireland titled "CLR James, Irish Question, and Black Liberation Struggle." A preview of a section from my forthcoming book "Reading Struggles." Can't wait and mroe details as it approaches. #CLRJames
October 18, 2025 at 11:22 PM
A month from today, I will be giving at talk in Dublin, Ireland titled "CLR James, Irish Question, and Black Liberation Struggle." A preview of a section from my forthcoming book "Reading Struggles." Can't wait and mroe details as it approaches. #CLRJames
Workers are on the move—refusing work, fighting bosses and organizing unions, demanding control over housing, speaking about their working lives and struggles. Join Clark McAllister (@notesfrombelow.bsky.social) & Kevin Van Meter (@americanwork47.bsky.social) in Belfast for a talk on #workersinquiry
October 16, 2025 at 1:11 PM
Workers are on the move—refusing work, fighting bosses and organizing unions, demanding control over housing, speaking about their working lives and struggles. Join Clark McAllister (@notesfrombelow.bsky.social) & Kevin Van Meter (@americanwork47.bsky.social) in Belfast for a talk on #workersinquiry
Immigrant workers, agricultural, cafe and grocery, digital platform, arts and culture, and education workers in Ireland, Germany, England, and the US have been sharing their lives and struggles through workers’ inquiries. Join us in Dublin as we examine these recent inquires!
October 16, 2025 at 12:59 PM
Immigrant workers, agricultural, cafe and grocery, digital platform, arts and culture, and education workers in Ireland, Germany, England, and the US have been sharing their lives and struggles through workers’ inquiries. Join us in Dublin as we examine these recent inquires!
Workers are on the move—fighting bosses and organizing unions, demanding control over housing, speaking about their working lives, and demanding workplace and real democracy. One of the tools to understand and amply these struggles is workers’ inquiry. Join me in Edinburgh in Nov
October 16, 2025 at 12:03 AM
Workers are on the move—fighting bosses and organizing unions, demanding control over housing, speaking about their working lives, and demanding workplace and real democracy. One of the tools to understand and amply these struggles is workers’ inquiry. Join me in Edinburgh in Nov