South Africa Is Pioneering a Better World for Domestic Workers

Digital communication is allowing American employees to unionize at large corporations. In conjunction with face-to-face organizing, and more positive perceptions of unions from the public, digital communication such as social media and text messaging has led to an increasing number of unions. The current pro-worker political climate and the transparency of poor working conditions through social media have also contributed to the rise in unionization.

Meatpacking workers protested Covid-19 safety concerns and a coalition of advocacy groups filed a civil rights complaint with the government accusing Tyson and JBS USA of racial discrimination during the pandemic because the safety issues disproportionately impact line workers, who are largely people of color. Nevada’s Culinary Union also sued Las Vegas Strip casinos for unsafe working conditions. Two casinos have been dropped from the suit after deciding to negotiate privately with the union and Tyson has since instituted some safety measures, but broader impacts of the complaints remain to be seen.

As a continuance of the Fight for $15 and a Union southern chapter Raise Up, the Union of Southern Service Workers is a first-of-its-kind, cross-sector union that offers membership to fast food, retail, warehouse, care, and other service industry workers across southern states. With Black women emerging as leaders, these organizations have built a multigenerational, multiracial labor movement that sheds light on the realities low-wage service workers have faced for decades.

An association of cooperatives has provided fair labor practices and equity for almost 70 years. Members of the coops vote on critical decisions that impact working conditions. When business is booming, everyone does well and when times are hard, everyone has a reliable security net.

Workers at an Amazon warehouse on Staten Island voted to unionize after two years of organizing by the independent Amazon Labor Union. The union was started by a worker who was fired from the warehouse after protesting unsafe conditions during the COVID-19, and a current employee. The union raised funds through GoFundMe to carry out innovative organizing tactics, like making TikTok videos and bringing free food from diverse cultural backgrounds to feed workers coming and going from their around the clock shifts.

The success achieved by the Culinary Workers Union in Las Vegas, despite daunting challenges, is an impressive feat. The unions' effectiveness in mobilizing their membership, taping into political influence, and aggressively organizing is a blueprint for other unions looking to make their mark.

Legislation known as the Garment Worker Protection Act is being hailed as a game changer for workers in the fashion industry. Low wages, forced overtime, and sweatshop conditions are common for garment workers in California but the new law will hold employers. Labor rights activists across the world are taking notice.

SEIU represents about 500,000 home care workers nationwide, offering union benefits and protections like individual health care, a retirement program, raises and better wages, additional training and access to personal protective equipment. For many — especially those working in Washington, California, New York and Illinois — unionization is a large part of the solution for home caregivers to receive representation and a living wage.

Delivery cooperatives are being formed as alternatives by drivers who are pooling their money and charging customers a one-time fee in a subscription-based model. Customers and restaurants alike pay a set monthly fee for delivery services without any extra or hidden costs. Drivers are full-time employees that are eligible for benefits such as medical insurance and profit-sharing options. Restaurants are able to avoid exorbitant commission fees while drivers avoid predatory business practices.

An equitable alternative to Uber and Lyft is giving drivers ownership of a ride-hailing platform with many perks that aren’t available to workers in the gig economy. The Drivers Cooperative is providing drivers with lower interest vehicle loans, better insurance rates, and a pilot program to test their own ride-hailing app.