The Mission:
Overcoming capitalism requires both political and economic struggle, where we recognize our shared class interests as workers and confront the exploitation that defines the working-class experience. Unfortunately, complacent union bureaucracies and attacks on organized labor have left workers, particularly in the South, with little organization, knowledge, or skills to engage in workplace struggle. We seek to build a militant rank-and-file movement in OKC and beyond by supporting workplace organizing, democratic union reform, and worker-to-worker learning.
What We Do
Our Labor Working Group focuses on building local labor power. This involves supporting striking workers, conducting Know Your Rights clinics for immigrant workers, and building a team of dedicated organizers to help unionize more Oklahomans.
Workers’ Circles
Since May 2024, we’ve held a monthly labor-oriented round table event designed to connect workers across sectors and industries. Workers’ Circle participants can celebrate organizing wins, troubleshoot challenges, and learn skills and strategies to bring back to their own workplace struggles. Regular activities include group readings, guest presentations, and skill trainings. These Circles are open to all workers but oriented towards union members, active organizers, and the union-curious. Upcoming Workers’ Circles are announced on our social media pages.
Labor Resources
Emergency Workplace Organizing
The Emergency Workplace Organizing Committee (EWOC) is a collaboration between the Democratic Socialists of America (DSA) and United Electrical, Radio and Machine Workers of America (UE) that helps workers organize unions. As a national project, most of this work is currently done virtually by volunteer labor organizers across the country.
Sign up for the EWOC organizing training
Become a volunteer EWOC organizer
Suggested Readings
Star ratings indicate level of difficulty, from beginner (one star) to advanced (five star).
⭐ “What can I do to help the labor movement?” – Hamilton Nolan
Everyone can be part of the resurgent labor movement. Here’s how. (13-17 minute read)
⭐ Relationship-Based Organizing: An Introduction – Fire with Fire
Approach to organizing that recognizes relationships as the source of power and seeks to strengthen those relationships through every aspect of organizing. (21-26 minute read)
⭐ An Introduction to 1-on-1 Organizing Conversations – Fire with Fire
An easy to remember approach to organizing conversations: AEIOU (agitate, educate, inoculate, organize, and uplift). (26-33 minute read)
⭐ The Upside-Down Pyramid – Marianne Garneau | Organizing Work
Why collective action must be built on a solid organizing foundation of workplace knowledge, relationships, and democratic practices to achieve lasting change. (9-12 minute read)
⭐ Take action – Owen King | Organizing Work
Talks about the importance of fighting over specific demands early in a campaign. (8-10 minute read)
⭐⭐ The National Labor Relations Act Is Anti-Strike Legislation – Nate Holdren | Organizing Work
Explains how the very legislation that gave workers the right to strike also ensured strikes would become less frequent. (25-31 minute read)
⭐⭐⭐ Spadework – Alyssa Battistoni | n+1
“It’s true that organizing is the day-to-day work of politics — what Ella Baker called “spadework,” the hard labor that prepares the ground for dramatic action.” (44-56 minute read)
⭐⭐⭐⭐ Solidarity Now – Mie Inouye | Boston Review
To make change, movements need to build endurance—the capacity to keep people showing up despite their differences. (34-43 minute read)
Connect with Us
Follow @okcdsa on social media to find out about upcoming events.
Become a chapter member to join the Discord server and receive emails from organizers.