Progressive Party Allies

 My new book (Insurgent Labor: The Vermont AFL-CIO 2017-2023) not only tackles the internal struggle to bring Vermont's Labor Movement to the working class left, but also emphasizes the need for Unions to break with the Democratic Party.  And here, I was happy to dedicate a good amount of time to our growing partnership with the Progressive Party. 

 As you know, the Progressive Party has been a staunch ally of Labor since its inception. And since 2020 (after United! came into power), we have been proud to back the Progressive slate both in general elections and in City of Burlington elections.  Together, we have more effectively fought for the change working Vermonters both need and demand.  Much of Chapter VI of Insurgent Labor deals the Vermont AFL-CIO's/United!'s relationship to electoral politics and the Progressive Party. 

 I crafted this book in order to do my best to chronicle the transformation of the Vermont AFL-CIO over the last few years. The work covers all of our trials and tribulations (wins and some losses), and seeks to give credit to the MANY Union members and allies that made change within our Labor Movement possible and who stood up and did the right thing even when it was hard.  While this account no doubt brings with it my own personal thoughts (some you may agree with me, some you may disagree with me), the fact is that EVERYTHING we achieved was achieved together. Our story is not one that follows a person, but rather a movement.

 We have much more work to do building our Labor Movement.  But I know the Vermont AFL-CIO can be one such vehicle for change, and I know that together we can change what is politically possible in our Green Mountains and Beyond!  

If you are inclined to support this book, you can do so through Working Class History's kickstarter page. https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/wrkclasshistory/insurgent-labor-a-new-blueprint-for-worker-power