Mission Statement
We believe that rank-and-file, bottom-up workplace organizing is key to building a socialist current in the working class. We will train rank-and-file organizers to energize existing unions, to organize the unorganized, and to build the socialist movement in their workplaces. We will encourage, support and assist Portland DSA members to “salt” into workplace organizing campaigns or establish campaigns where none exist. We will mobilize Portland DSA in solidarity with strategic workplace campaigns.
Work with purpose
Most of us need to work alienating jobs in order to survive. We can bring purpose into that daily drudgery by organizing with our coworkers to win demands that improve our lives and communities. If you’re looking for work, or looking for a way to put your socialism into practice at work, consider salting with other comrades!
A “salt” is someone who gets hired in order to organize on the job. Salts might get a job at an unorganized workplace in order to support unionization efforts, or they might organize within a workplace that already has a union. It’s one of the ways we as socialists can build power where we have the most leverage against the capitalists, at work!
If you’re interested, please contact us and someone from the Labor Working Group will get in touch with you!
Resources for Organizers
Why Organize?
Why Unions? How to Organize One, Salting, and the Rank-and-File Strategy
How Amazonians in Chicago Won PTO for All Amazon Workers
Mobilizing vs. Organizing (ACCESS MUST BE REQUESTED)
Why We Still Talk About the Working Class
Organizing Guides
How to Strike and Win, a Labor Notes Guide
1199’s Advice to Rookie Organizers (ACCESS MUST BE REQUESTED)
Salt N Pepper- A Guide to Getting a Terrible Job
General
Portland Jobs with Justice Why Unions Matter Library
Mobilize for Labor Solidarity – Come Out for Jobs with Justice
Jane Slaughter-Socialists and the Labor Movement: the Rank-and-File Strategy
Click thru the Labor WG’s Latest Dispatches (DOES NOT WORK)
Workers Rights and Power – a presentation from The Portland Worker Justice Collaborative
Rolling out socialist rank and file work: a case study from NYC-DSA
DSA Suggestions for Supporting Union Organizing
DSA Snapshot: Unions in the US Today
A Practical Guide to Strike Solidarity for DSA Members
Contact Us
Send an email to portlanddsalabor@gmail.com to reach us!
Get in touch if you’re interested in. . .
- Salting into a work site where other socialists are organizing
- Advising worksite organizing committees (and have some experience with labor organizing)
- Organizing with the Amazon Workers Solidarity Committee
- Supporting the Labor Working Group’s administration
- Helping us organize events like the Socialist Job Fair
- Participating in a book study or training
- Organizing a union at your workplace and are looking for support, including training for you and your comrades and support for recruiting salts for your project