EP 139: How to Reform Your Union!

This episode explores the dynamics of union reform caucuses and strategies for empowering workers within healthcare unions, with insights from Lisa Xu of Labor Notes. It covers how members can organize, challenge leadership, and build stronger, more democratic unions. The discussion includes labor activism and reform strategies to strengthen worker power. If you are a rank and file union member who is concerned and frustrated with a lack of transparency within your union or you've considered decertification, this may be the episode for you.

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ETSY Shop: Stop Healthcare Worker Violence!

https://www.etsy.com/shop/TheNurseErica Chapters: 00:00 Introduction 05:45 What is a Union Reform Caucus 08:30 Case Studies: Successful Reform Movements 17:20 Current Climate of Union Disillusionment 18:30 Historical Context of Reform Caucuses 27:55 Building a Reform Caucus: Steps and Considerations 31:55 Legal Protections in Union Reform 35:30 Strategies for Effective Reform Organizing 39:24 Enema Award of the Week 42:05 Common Mistakes in Reform Caucuses 44:15 Overcoming Fear in Organizing 46:10 Understanding Decertification and Its Risks 50:35 Taking Action: First Steps for Workers 52:57 Resources for Union Reform and Engagement 56:00 Summary Wrap Up

Guest:

Lisa Xu

Resources:

Labor Notes - https://labornotes.org/ Guide to Building a Union Reform Caucus - https://labornotes.org/caucus Union Democracy Lawyers - Association for Union Democracy - https://uniondemocracy.org/ Labor Notes Conference 2026 -https://labornotes.org/2026

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