From the ACLU, this is at Liberty. I'm Kendall Seasmeyer, your host.

If you're staying up to date with the news, you may have noticed that unions are having a moment.

This summer alone strikes by members of the WGA, UAW, SACA, UPS, Starbucks, Amazon, and Kaiser Permanente

unions, among others, have made headlines and signal to solidarity between workers across

the country. Last year, public support for unions hit a 57-year high,

with 71% of Americans expressing a favorable opinion.

Where do we work?

Now!

It's being called the hot labor summer.

From Hollywood to hotels, workers have been walking off the job.

Work stoppages in the U.S. are reaching record highs. Researchers at Cornell University estimate

nearly 362,000 workers have gone on strike in 2023.

Solidarity forever for the union makes us show.

However, unions themselves are not a utopia.

Here at the ACLU, we've cited both with and against unions to secure workers' rights,

specifically those of women and pregnant people.

There's still much work to be done to ensure that all workers are treated fairly. But one thing remains clear. Unions can be a

powerful force for securing civil rights and civil liberties. Journalist Kim Kelly is a firm

believer in the power of organized labor. After years of reporting on the American labor movement, she released Fight Like Hell, the untold history of American labor. The book chronicles historical labor movements across several industries, focusing on the people from marginalized groups who led them, their wins and their losses.

Kim joins us today to help us connect our past to our present and deepen our understanding

of the ongoing fight for workers' rights.

Kim, welcome to it Liberty.

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