Ideas worth spreading

How labor unions shape society

1,725,335 views |

Margaret Levi |

TEDxSeattle

• November 2021

The weekend. Social Security. Health insurance. What do these things have in common? They all exist thanks to the advocacy of labor unions. Political economist Margaret Levi explains how these organizations forge equality and protect worker rights, calling for a 21st-century revival of the labor movement in order to build a more equitable future.

The weekend. Social Security. Health insurance. What do these things have in common? They all exist thanks to the advocacy of labor unions. Political economist Margaret Levi explains how these organizations forge equality and protect worker rights, calling for a 21st-century revival of the labor movement in order to build a more equitable future.

This talk was presented to a local audience at TEDxSeattle, an independent event. TED's editors chose to feature it for you.

Read more about TEDx.

To promote worker power, support Jobs with Justice, Coworker.org, unit. and the AFL-CIO.

About the speaker

Margaret Levi

Political economist

See speaker profile

Margaret Levi is committed to promoting equity and equality by ensuring that political, economic and social arrangements enable the flourishing of all.

Federica Carugati and Margaret Levi | Cambridge University Press, 2021 | Book

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How to create a politics and economy that promotes the flourishing of all.

Sara Horowitz | Penguin Random House, 2021 | Book

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Erica Smiley and Sarita Gupta | Cornell University Press, 2022 | Book

The Future We Need: Organizing for a Better Democracy in the Twenty-First Century

Alternatives to traditional unions.

The Stand, 2021 | Article

"New study: ‘Right to Work’ states underperform in multiple areas"

Laws that restrict unions undermine economic and social well-being.

Thomas A. Kochan, Duanyi Yang, William T. Kimball, Erin L. Kelly | ILR Review, 2018 | Article

"Worker Voice in America: Is There a Gap between What Workers Expect and What They Experience?"

Yes, there is a gap.

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This talk was presented to a local audience at TEDxSeattle, an independent event. TED's editors chose to feature it for you.

Read more about TEDx.

To promote worker power, support Jobs with Justice, Coworker.org, unit. and the AFL-CIO.