The Big Issue: Labor Against Fascism

Hamilton Nolan







“Fascism” is one of those words that can mean anything to anybody, but for a working definition, we could go with “What is happening in America right now.” Which is to say: a corrupt right wing state deploying state power on behalf of a corrupt wannabe strongman leader and his corporate backers. Everything from the way that the Trump family has milked its government position for personal gain to the crony-like government contracting system to the corporate tax cut to the corruption of the Department of Justice and morphing of the Department of Homeland Security into the White House’s private army are all telltale ingredients. It’s happening.

What does it mean for organized labor -- and, more concretely, for each one of us who make up organized labor in America? The answer is not obvious. Many unions, no matter what they say in their press releases, subscribe to a philosophy of “business unionism,” meaning they operate essentially as parts of the companies where their members work. (A little bit of business unionism goes a long way, but that is a topic for another day.) That means that, practically speaking, they view the idea of making waves or agitating over a concept as airy as “looming fascism” to be rather silly. Fascism is not necessarily incompatible with labor unions, so long as the unions are willing to shut up, sign contracts, and supply a reliable labor force.

I would like to encourage you, though, to see your union not as a paper-pushing contract enforcement firm, but as a multi-purpose tool that can be used to magnify your power. At its most basic, a union is just a group of working people united. It is right and proper and wise to use that unity and power to fight against things that hurt working people. Fascism is one of those things. Your union has resources. It can organize protests, it can file or join lawsuits, it can lobby lawmakers, it can rally public opinion, it can bring money and expertise and people to bear against anything that you, the union members, deem necessary. So don’t let your union become a sleepy, inactive lump as the world burns. Use it. Contracts are important. But they are not the end of what must be done now.

Labor News This Week


The NLRB, a government agency that (during Republican administrations) exists to crush union and worker power in any way possible, issued a ruling this week that makes it easier for employers to fire or discipline employees “for racist, sexist, and other profane speech or conduct in the context of workplace activism and union-related activity.” Did you catch that? They can attach themselves to the idea of fighting racism while in fact fighting against unions and worker power! And you will be shocked to learn that the subject of the case in question is a Black GM worker and union activist who was disciplined after he “‘lowered his voice and mockingly acted a caricature of a slave,’ pointing to a manager and asking whether the man preferred if he talked that way.” Thank you NLRB for your strong commitment to racial equality!!! That was sarcasm.


OSHA, another worthless government agency (currently), has now issued two (2) total coronavirus-related safety citations. That’s the total, for the entire pandemic so far. Two.


Some workers are being asked to sign arbitration agreements in order to return to work. Maybe we could just have workers agree to die, after all the work is done? Keep it simple.


McDonald’s is accused of firing a worker who led safety strikes. Whole Foods is accused of punishing workers for wearing Black Lives Matter masks.


Nearly 80% of Colorado’s unionized teachers say they would be willing to refuse to return to the classroom if they felt it was unsafe. That’s labor power, baby.


Uber has been automatically deducting the price of tickets from drivers’ wages without giving them a chance to appeal, a thing which is bad, much like Uber in general.


Volkswagen workers in Mexico are threatening to strike in August if they don’t get a raise.


NBA G League players have formed a union. Smart! And ACLU of Kansas workers won union recognition after THE FREAKING ACLU refused to voluntarily recognize them, which is disgraceful, in my own little worthless personal opinion.


Workers fear returning to work. Just keep repeating this headline until a vaccine exists.

Final Thought

“Having a daughter does not make a man decent. Having a wife does not make a decent man. Treating people with dignity and respect makes a decent man.” –AOC

In solidarity,



Hamilton Nolan