I get that organizing is important, but I still don't actually know what that entails. Like what am I supposed to do? It's kind of like telling a straight guy who wants to get a girlfriend to just "be himself." So when I see someone complain about the hellworld we live in and a common response is "organize," it feels kinda condescending. Same with "join an org." What org? How do I know which one is good?
Like for real, why isn't there some sort of organizing guide or FAQ on here? There's a recommended routine for body weight fitness and there's even a 14 day primer on getting started (https://old.reddit.com/r/bodyweightfitness/comments/kofo8l/bwf_primer_buildup_community_event_day_1_happy/). So where is the organizing primer? I mean it can start with something really simple, i.e. "on Day 1, say hi to a neighbor if you see them out walking (no need to get into a convo unless it just happens)." Like tbh how about a 14 Day Primer for organizing? Even the radlibs on the Bernie campaign had training sessions before having volunteers do stuff like call, text, or canvass. Even pick-up-artist idiots have training programs (e.g. day 1 talk to a random stranger and ask them directions, just say your phone is dead, etc.). We should have one too.
Your actions should continue to bring more of your coworkers on board, or at least not shrink in participation. For this to happen, you and your OC need to clearly explain to coworkers what the plan to win is.
As soon as you start organizing you will upset the balance of power at work. You will be overturning a prior culture of acquiescence to injustice. This can have lots of unexpected consequences. You and your OC need to be in continual contact, with regular meetings, to share information, build trust and solidarity, and keep the group together.
You and your OC will need to decide what the biggest, most powerful, most confrontational action your coworkers will take. Usually this is a strike, but it doesn’t have to be.
Once you’ve reached that point, now it’s time to prepare to win!
Your biggest action – a credible threat to strike with 70% support, for example – has the most power BEFORE you do it. Now is the time to call the boss and strike a deal.
Done right, you can achieve most if not all of your goals!
It is up to you and your OC to have thought through in advance what an acceptable compromise will be. It’s not unusual to settle for 90% of what you want. Remember: it’s extremely difficult to keep taking militant actions forever. Your coworkers will want a break and a chance to enjoy the fruits of their organizing labor. You can always build up another campaign in six months or a year to win 100% of what you originally set out to achieve. Make sure your coworkers understand that even a 90% or 80% achievement rate is a hell of a lot better than your position before you started organizing.
a. Under capitalism, bosses are constantly changing working conditions and relations of production in order to maximize their profits. Your gains are always under potential threat and your OC and coworkers will constantly be changing as people retire, get hired, get laid off, or leave for other jobs.
b. Don’t get complacent! The failure of the US labor movement over the last 30 years has largely resulted from a failure of union leadership to spend the time following all of these steps consistently.