The Coronavirus pandemic and the economic depression accompanying it are already engendering new movements of both employed and unemployed workers. A series of commentaries by labor historian and Labor Network for Sustainability Research and Policy Director Jeremy Brecher describe how millions of people are experimenting with ways to address their problems through collective action in the COVID-19 era.
“The Unemployed vs. the Coronavirus Depression,” describes the nascent movements of the unemployed, their limitations, and their future potential.
“Self-Help in the Coronavirus Depression,” reviews rent strikes and mutual aid movements.
“Workers vs. the Coronavirus Depression” described how workers in hundreds of workplaces conducted strikes and other forms of on-the-job action to demand safer working conditions and hazard pay in the pandemic.
“Striking in the Coronavirus Depression,” recounts two “mini-revolts” of the COVID-19 era, the Strike for Black Lives and the strikes and strike threats by teachers over health protections and school closings.
“People Power in the Great Depression” examines the grassroots response to the coronavirus as a whole.