Lane Windham
@lanewindham.bsky.social
Activist, writer, historian, labor and working-class issues. Author of Knocking on Labor's Door: Union Organizing in the 1970s and the Roots of a New Economic Divide
So proud of this class whose hosts include @unitehere.org, @opeiu.org, @jwj.org, @labwc.bsky.social, @powerswitchaction.org, @ncstateaflcio.bsky.social, @aflcio.org
WILL Empower is pleased to welcome its eighth class of the WILL Empower Apprenticeship Program that identifies, develops and convenes a new generation of women, non-binary and trans staff members for the worker justice movement.
▶️🖱️(www.willempower.org/2025/09/25/w... )
▶️🖱️(www.willempower.org/2025/09/25/w... )
September 29, 2025 at 6:37 PM
So proud of this class whose hosts include @unitehere.org, @opeiu.org, @jwj.org, @labwc.bsky.social, @powerswitchaction.org, @ncstateaflcio.bsky.social, @aflcio.org
Reposted by Lane Windham
I'm attending Metro Washington Council, AFL-CIO's event, “We Are All DC: A National March” - sign up now to join me! www.mobilize.us/mobilize/eve...
We Are All DC: A National March · Mobilize
DC communities are powerful, connected, and under attack.
Federal troops, out-of-state National Guard, and Trump controlled police are harassing, surveilling, and detaining Black and Brown residents...
www.mobilize.us
September 3, 2025 at 8:21 PM
I'm attending Metro Washington Council, AFL-CIO's event, “We Are All DC: A National March” - sign up now to join me! www.mobilize.us/mobilize/eve...
Reposted by Lane Windham
Nominations EXTENDED to SEPTEMBER 1st for the WILL Empower Edna Berger Young Courageous Leader Award - $15,000!
✨Do you know a young courageous leader (age 30/under) committed to worker, racial, and gender justice?
🔥Nominate here by 9/1: go.rutgers.edu/sf3j15y3
✨Do you know a young courageous leader (age 30/under) committed to worker, racial, and gender justice?
🔥Nominate here by 9/1: go.rutgers.edu/sf3j15y3
August 25, 2025 at 7:26 PM
Nominations EXTENDED to SEPTEMBER 1st for the WILL Empower Edna Berger Young Courageous Leader Award - $15,000!
✨Do you know a young courageous leader (age 30/under) committed to worker, racial, and gender justice?
🔥Nominate here by 9/1: go.rutgers.edu/sf3j15y3
✨Do you know a young courageous leader (age 30/under) committed to worker, racial, and gender justice?
🔥Nominate here by 9/1: go.rutgers.edu/sf3j15y3
Reposted by Lane Windham
Direct action gets the goods.
Air Canada and Striking Flight Attendants’ Union Reach Tentative Deal
www.nytimes.com
August 19, 2025 at 11:37 AM
Direct action gets the goods.
Now that Trump Admin is purging museums of ideas that contradict its world view, hurry to see the National Archives excellent Power and Light, Russell Lee's 1946 coal survey. Part of the settlement to the 7-week miners' strike was this survey. Glad I saw this treasure before it is disappeared.
August 17, 2025 at 5:51 PM
Now that Trump Admin is purging museums of ideas that contradict its world view, hurry to see the National Archives excellent Power and Light, Russell Lee's 1946 coal survey. Part of the settlement to the 7-week miners' strike was this survey. Glad I saw this treasure before it is disappeared.
Reposted by Lane Windham
Worth sharing for the reference list alone (a lot of bangers on that list!). But this is a real question and the examination here by @lanewindham.bsky.social is a great read.
Personally I believe organizing around working people's solidarity and life improvement is always a better option.
Personally I believe organizing around working people's solidarity and life improvement is always a better option.
Now available on Portside!
"Is the purpose of organizing to increase union membership, or is it to rebuild a working-class movement that can effectively make life better for the vast majority of working people?"
@lanewindham.bsky.social for New Labor Forum
portside.org/2025-05-28/c...
"Is the purpose of organizing to increase union membership, or is it to rebuild a working-class movement that can effectively make life better for the vast majority of working people?"
@lanewindham.bsky.social for New Labor Forum
portside.org/2025-05-28/c...
Could Sisyphus Have Tried Harder? Reflections on the Sweeney Administration’s Efforts at Mass Organizing, Thirty Years Later
When I came to the AFL-CIO in 1998, not long after John Sweeney was elected president, the enthusiasm and hope around organizing was contagious. I’d spent much of my twenties as a union organizer in t...
portside.org
August 17, 2025 at 3:37 AM
Worth sharing for the reference list alone (a lot of bangers on that list!). But this is a real question and the examination here by @lanewindham.bsky.social is a great read.
Personally I believe organizing around working people's solidarity and life improvement is always a better option.
Personally I believe organizing around working people's solidarity and life improvement is always a better option.
Yes, lots of new leaders, and many are women
94. @lanewindham.bsky.social's Knocking on Labor's Door is great on 1970s organizing.
One can argue that the split between young workers and labor leaders largely persisted until the last few years. I wrote about some of that here:
One can argue that the split between young workers and labor leaders largely persisted until the last few years. I wrote about some of that here:
Labor’s Quiet Revolution? - The Forge
The top ranks of labor leadership are turning over quickly. It’s worth asking what, if anything, it means. The last few months have seen some unexpected and significant changes in high profile labor l...
forgeorganizing.org
August 14, 2025 at 12:26 PM
Yes, lots of new leaders, and many are women
Reposted by Lane Windham
Now available on Portside!
"Is the purpose of organizing to increase union membership, or is it to rebuild a working-class movement that can effectively make life better for the vast majority of working people?"
@lanewindham.bsky.social for New Labor Forum
portside.org/2025-05-28/c...
"Is the purpose of organizing to increase union membership, or is it to rebuild a working-class movement that can effectively make life better for the vast majority of working people?"
@lanewindham.bsky.social for New Labor Forum
portside.org/2025-05-28/c...
Could Sisyphus Have Tried Harder? Reflections on the Sweeney Administration’s Efforts at Mass Organizing, Thirty Years Later
When I came to the AFL-CIO in 1998, not long after John Sweeney was elected president, the enthusiasm and hope around organizing was contagious. I’d spent much of my twenties as a union organizer in t...
portside.org
July 17, 2025 at 3:16 PM
Now available on Portside!
"Is the purpose of organizing to increase union membership, or is it to rebuild a working-class movement that can effectively make life better for the vast majority of working people?"
@lanewindham.bsky.social for New Labor Forum
portside.org/2025-05-28/c...
"Is the purpose of organizing to increase union membership, or is it to rebuild a working-class movement that can effectively make life better for the vast majority of working people?"
@lanewindham.bsky.social for New Labor Forum
portside.org/2025-05-28/c...
"Who will stand for us?" asked @dropkickmurphys.com at @unite4vets.bsky.social rally. America's working class is asking that question, loud and clear.
June 7, 2025 at 2:45 AM
"Who will stand for us?" asked @dropkickmurphys.com at @unite4vets.bsky.social rally. America's working class is asking that question, loud and clear.
Reposted by Lane Windham
From Lane Windham, here's an unsparing look back at the period 20 years ago, when the leadership of the AFL-CIO really did try to recommit to organizing the unorganized and rebuild the labor movement as a movement. And failed to do so. portside.org/2025-05-28/c...
June 3, 2025 at 5:04 PM
From Lane Windham, here's an unsparing look back at the period 20 years ago, when the leadership of the AFL-CIO really did try to recommit to organizing the unorganized and rebuild the labor movement as a movement. And failed to do so. portside.org/2025-05-28/c...
My latest piece. I reflect on what we can learn today from the Sweeney era hopes and failures. Is boosting union density the ultimate organizing goal? journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.1177/...
Could Sisyphus Have Tried Harder? Reflections on the Sweeney Administration’s Efforts at Mass Organizing, Thirty Years Later - Lane Windham, 2025
journals.sagepub.com
May 12, 2025 at 9:00 PM
My latest piece. I reflect on what we can learn today from the Sweeney era hopes and failures. Is boosting union density the ultimate organizing goal? journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.1177/...
Reposted by Lane Windham
BREAKING: The Department of Health and Human Services has fired every single worker in its program that helps low-income Americans pay their energy bills.
thehill.com/policy/energ...
thehill.com/policy/energ...
thehill.com
April 2, 2025 at 5:54 PM
BREAKING: The Department of Health and Human Services has fired every single worker in its program that helps low-income Americans pay their energy bills.
thehill.com/policy/energ...
thehill.com/policy/energ...
Amazon weaponizing AI to fight workers' union: prospect.org/labor/2025-0...
Amazon Uses Arsenal of AI Weapons Against Workers
A study of a union election at an Amazon warehouse in Bessemer, Alabama, shows that the company weaponizes its algorithmic surveillance tools to prevent organizing.
prospect.org
March 14, 2025 at 1:37 AM
Amazon weaponizing AI to fight workers' union: prospect.org/labor/2025-0...
An important read...
Thanks to @dissentmag.bsky.social for running this piece.
New online: Joseph A. McCartin on Trump and Musk’s war on workers.
www.dissentmagazine.org/online_artic...
www.dissentmagazine.org/online_artic...
March 1, 2025 at 5:29 PM
An important read...
Reposted by Lane Windham
Zoom Book Talk: Labor Historian Debbie Goldman will be discussing her new book 'Disconnected' with CWA Area Director Pat Telesco and @lanewindham.bsky.social. 2/26 4.00PM EST.
RSVP here: bit.ly/cwaqa
RSVP here: bit.ly/cwaqa
February 18, 2025 at 5:20 PM
Zoom Book Talk: Labor Historian Debbie Goldman will be discussing her new book 'Disconnected' with CWA Area Director Pat Telesco and @lanewindham.bsky.social. 2/26 4.00PM EST.
RSVP here: bit.ly/cwaqa
RSVP here: bit.ly/cwaqa
Reposted by Lane Windham
Zoom Book Talk!📖 On 2/26 at 4:00 PM, Labor Historian Debbie Goldman, @cwaunion.bsky.social
Area Director Pat Telesco and KI Associate Director @lanewindham.bsky.social Windham will discuss call center workers, AI, and the lessons labor can learn from history! #LaborSpring
👉http://bit.ly/cwaqa
Area Director Pat Telesco and KI Associate Director @lanewindham.bsky.social Windham will discuss call center workers, AI, and the lessons labor can learn from history! #LaborSpring
👉http://bit.ly/cwaqa
February 12, 2025 at 10:19 PM
Zoom Book Talk!📖 On 2/26 at 4:00 PM, Labor Historian Debbie Goldman, @cwaunion.bsky.social
Area Director Pat Telesco and KI Associate Director @lanewindham.bsky.social Windham will discuss call center workers, AI, and the lessons labor can learn from history! #LaborSpring
👉http://bit.ly/cwaqa
Area Director Pat Telesco and KI Associate Director @lanewindham.bsky.social Windham will discuss call center workers, AI, and the lessons labor can learn from history! #LaborSpring
👉http://bit.ly/cwaqa
20 years after split: SEIU rejoins AFL-CIO... this is good for working people... www.nytimes.com/2025/01/08/b...
SEIU Joins Forces With AFL-CIO Ahead of New Trump Era
A marriage between the service employees union and the A.F.L.-C.I.O. could better equip organized labor to deal with a less-friendly administration.
www.nytimes.com
January 9, 2025 at 1:37 AM
20 years after split: SEIU rejoins AFL-CIO... this is good for working people... www.nytimes.com/2025/01/08/b...
Reposted by Lane Windham
Read Hammer & Hope
"The problem is that the bottom of the Democratic Party literally fell out."
here an excerpt from @danieldenvir.bsky.social's interview of @keeanga.bsky.social
hammerandhope.org/article/elec...
here an excerpt from @danieldenvir.bsky.social's interview of @keeanga.bsky.social
hammerandhope.org/article/elec...
Donald Trump’s Victory, the Elitism of Democrats, and the Need to Build a Hospitable Left
Analyzing the 2024 election and its aftermath.
hammerandhope.org
December 21, 2024 at 9:45 PM
Read Hammer & Hope
Reposted by Lane Windham
Our Associate Director @lanewindham.bsky.social joined the America's Work Force Union Podcast to discuss the changing landscape of labor leadership and the importance of empowering women in the movement.
awf.labortools.com/listen/follo...
awf.labortools.com/listen/follo...
Following election results, labor looks to regroup and unify members
The America’s Work Force Union Podcast is the nation’s premier daily labor program. Lane Windham from the Kalmanovitz Initiative joined us on today’s show.
awf.labortools.com
December 18, 2024 at 11:03 PM
Our Associate Director @lanewindham.bsky.social joined the America's Work Force Union Podcast to discuss the changing landscape of labor leadership and the importance of empowering women in the movement.
awf.labortools.com/listen/follo...
awf.labortools.com/listen/follo...
I feel like the election was fundamentally about the kinds of working-class issues I've been fighting for, and mostly losing, my entire adult life. Sounds like Randi Weingarten is also thinking something similar prospect.org/labor/2024-1...
Why Workers Deserted a Neoliberal Democratic Party
Herewith, a union leader’s suggestions on why they left and how to win them back.
prospect.org
December 9, 2024 at 6:33 PM
I feel like the election was fundamentally about the kinds of working-class issues I've been fighting for, and mostly losing, my entire adult life. Sounds like Randi Weingarten is also thinking something similar prospect.org/labor/2024-1...
Reposted by Lane Windham
Big poultry is misleading the public on workplace safety by underreporting workplace injury numbers
Underreporting is harming workers - KI worker safety expert @debbieberkowitz.bsky.social weighs in and finds the truth
www.foodsafetynews.com/2024/11/lett...
Underreporting is harming workers - KI worker safety expert @debbieberkowitz.bsky.social weighs in and finds the truth
www.foodsafetynews.com/2024/11/lett...
Letter to the Editor: Workplace injury numbers in poultry industry need closer look
-- OPINION -- As FSN noted recently, the Bureau of Labor Statistics reported that poultry slaughter plants had a huge and unprecedented reduction in the
www.foodsafetynews.com
December 2, 2024 at 7:05 PM
Big poultry is misleading the public on workplace safety by underreporting workplace injury numbers
Underreporting is harming workers - KI worker safety expert @debbieberkowitz.bsky.social weighs in and finds the truth
www.foodsafetynews.com/2024/11/lett...
Underreporting is harming workers - KI worker safety expert @debbieberkowitz.bsky.social weighs in and finds the truth
www.foodsafetynews.com/2024/11/lett...
Reposted by Lane Windham
Hello! I took a deep look at the efforts by SpaceX and Amazon to gut the NLRB, how SCOTUS' right-wing majority could kneecap the agency, and what the disastrous results could be for workers and unions.
www.huffpost.com/entry/elon-m...
www.huffpost.com/entry/elon-m...
Elon Musk Wants To Wreck A Crucial Agency That No One Is Talking About
Constitutional challenges to the National Labor Relations Board may end up before the Supreme Court, with grave implications for workers and unions.
www.huffpost.com
November 27, 2024 at 6:55 PM
Hello! I took a deep look at the efforts by SpaceX and Amazon to gut the NLRB, how SCOTUS' right-wing majority could kneecap the agency, and what the disastrous results could be for workers and unions.
www.huffpost.com/entry/elon-m...
www.huffpost.com/entry/elon-m...