Jacobin Radio w/ Suzi Weissman: Rail Worker Struggle w/ Nelson Lichtenstein

Suzi talks to UCSB labor historian Nelson Lichtenstein to get his analysis of the impending rail strike and the tentative deal reached to prevent it by labor leaders, the government, and the freight rail companies. The workers are demanding paid sick days and more predictable and humane schedules, but they weren’t at the table forging the tentative agreement. They are, however, the ones who will decide whether or not to ratify or reject the deal. Nelson says rail workers are shaking up labor once again: his title for the op-ed that appeared in the LA Times on September 15 was “We need a railroad strike!”

Suzi then talks to Ukrainian writer and documentary filmmaker Anatoli Ulyanov about his LeftEast article, “The Superfluous People of Eastern Ukraine.” Anatoli addresses a crucial question about what happens once the war ends, however that may turn out, when the question of reintegrating the Donbas—not just territory but people—becomes primary. He extends his analysis to include all those who will be strangers in their own country.

Jacobin Radio with Suzi Weissman features conversations with leading thinkers and activists, with a focus on labor, the economy, protest movements.