The labor movement lost a powerful voice on July 7, 2024, with the passing of Jane McAlevey, a renowned union organizer, author, and strategist. McAlevey, who battled multiple myeloma for several years, died at her home in Muir Beach, California, at the age of 59.

As tributes pour in from across the labor landscape, one thing remains clear: Jane McAlevey leaves behind a remarkable legacy. She was a tireless advocate for workers’ rights, a brilliant mind who revolutionized union organizing techniques, and a passionate voice who inspired countless individuals to fight for a more just and equitable workplace.

A Life Dedicated to Worker Power

Born in New York City in 1964, McAlevey’s dedication to social justice began early. As a student activist, she participated in the divestment movement against South Africa’s apartheid regime. This experience ignited a lifelong commitment to empowering the working class to achieve meaningful change.

McAlevey spent decades honing her organizing skills in the trenches of labor battles. She worked with unions across various industries, from healthcare to service workers, leading successful campaigns that secured better wages, benefits, and working conditions for countless individuals.

The McAlevey Method: Building Worker Power from the Ground Up

McAlevey’s unique approach to union organizing, known as “whole-worker organizing,” emphasized building worker power from the bottom up. This meant going beyond traditional tactics and focusing on deeply engaging with workers, understanding their concerns, and mobilizing them into a powerful collective force.

Her model emphasized:

• Deep workplace organizing: Building strong relationships within the workforce, fostering trust, and creating a sense of shared purpose.
• Member-to-member communication: Empowering rank-and-file workers to become leaders within the union, engaging in peer-to-peer communication to spread the message of unionization.
• Building community power: Recognizing that workplace struggles are connected to broader community issues. McAlevey advocated for forging alliances with social justice organizations to build a more robust support system for workers’ demands.

McAlevey’s ideas were not just theoretical. She put them into practice with remarkable success in numerous high-profile campaigns. Her work with the Service Employees International Union (SEIU) played a pivotal role in organizing low-wage healthcare workers across the country. She also played a key role in the successful fight for a $15 minimum wage in several cities.

A Prolific Author and Scholar

McAlevey was not just a practitioner; she was also a prolific writer and scholar. Her books, including “No Shortcuts: Organizing for Power in the New Gilded Age” and “Raising Expectations (and Rescuing the Dream),” became essential guides for a new generation of labor organizers. Her work challenged outdated organizing techniques and provided a strategic framework for building strong, sustainable unions in the 21st century.

In addition to her books, McAlevey penned numerous articles and commentaries, sharing her insights and experience with a broader audience. She served as a Senior Policy Fellow at the University of California, Berkeley’s Institute for Research on Labor and Employment, and was a regular contributor to The Nation magazine.

A Legacy of Inspiration

Jane McAlevey’s legacy is one of unwavering commitment, strategic brilliance, and a deep faith in the power of collective action. She inspired countless workers, union organizers, and social justice advocates to fight for a better future.

Her passing leaves a void in the labor movement, but her work will continue to shape the fight for workers’ rights for years to come. The lessons she imparted on building worker power, engaging communities, and prioritizing member-driven organizing will serve as a roadmap for future victories.

What’s Next for the Labor Movement?

As we mourn the loss of Jane McAlevey, it’s also a time to reflect on the future of the labor movement. McAlevey understood the challenges facing unions in the 21st century – globalization, anti-union legislation, and the decline of manufacturing jobs. But she never wavered in her belief that strong unions were essential for a just and equitable society.

Her work provides a blueprint for the labor movement to move forward. Here are some key takeaways:

• Empowering workers: Building rank-and-file leadership and ensuring workers have a real voice in shaping the union agenda are crucial.
• Community building: Forging strong alliances with social justice organizations can strengthen the labor movement and broaden its reach.
• Adapting to change: Unions need to be innovative and adapt their strategies to address the changing landscape of work.

By following McAlevey’s lead, the labor movement can continue to be a powerful force for positive change in the lives of working people.