Let me begin with the caveat that I am not a student worker. I understand the appearance of someone without a tangible stake in unionization standing up and giving unsolicited advice is not an ideal look. However, I do have some experience with organizing, and thought given the in-flux nature of the current moment, it would be worth offering some ideas regarding a path forward. 

The energy shown during the recent push for unionization has been inspiring. Standing on the picket line playing music while people shouted chants and danced was an experience that will stick with me for a long time. This passion has been incredible, but I fear it may die out. 

Energy and engagement like this are temporary phenomena, and unless properly channeled, can come and go without causing any meaningful change. Clark knows this: they are banking on graduations, unbeknownst first-years and summer break to sweep this unionization episode under the rug. In order to prevent this, organized labor at Clark needs just that: an organization. 

The current system of strike captains leading the union effort worked well for the day-to-day trials and tribulations of the strike, where decisiveness and speedy action were desperately needed. However, this system has several flaws that make it unsuitable for the long term. The lack of transparency, combined with the unelected nature of the strike captain role, make it an untenable structure to continue into the future. Additionally, this type of arrangement places a large burden on just a handful of people. 

My recommendation is to reform the union effort into a club-style organization, similar to The See You Collective. I do not think becoming a registered student organization would be advantageous, however, the organization could still function like a club; with an Executive Board and elections to determine who occupies those roles. This pseudo-club could facilitate organizing strategies, such as holding teach-ins about labor rights, as well as coordinating public actions in support of unionization. 

The strike may have ended, but that does not mean the dream of an undergraduate union has to end as well. To give this movement the best chance of succeeding, it needs a framework that can channel people’s energy into a long term grassroots organizing campaign. This will help the movement not only survive the summer, but continue until the aspiration of forming a union becomes a reality.