Two Recent Confluence Gatherings Explore Critical Connections

August and September brought two Workers Confluence events, both of which explored critical intersections for the labor movement.

On August 28th, Confluence partnered with the Minnesota AFL-CIO and their Racial and Economic Justice Committee to host United We Rise. Divided We Fall. It Is Always Our Choice!

Labor history educator Mark McDermott has brought this presentation, which explores the labor movement’s checkered past and hopeful future with regard to racial equity, to audiences all over the country. It was a moving and agitational afternoon for the audience of more than 50 union and community group members in attendance.

Mark’s message, which he backs up with many historical examples, is this: the labor movement has been at its most powerful when we prioritize inclusivity and cross-racial solidarity – and we are weakest when we accept the us-vs-them mindset the bosses use to divide workers based on race.

A follow up event will be held in January 2025 for participants to reconvene and share how they have moved this conversation forward within their organizations. Many thanks to Mark and to Laborers Local 563, who provided space for this event in their beautiful new union hall.

On September 25th, Confluence teamed up with North Star Policy Action for a follow up on last year’s exploration of the intersection of renters rights and workers rights. Last year we brought together labor and housing advocates to give feedback on a draft version of North Star’s report titled Subsidizing Abuse: How Public Financing Fuels Exploitation in Affordable Housing Construction. This year we expanded the conversation to include Jennifer Arnold, Executive Director of Inqulinxs Unidxs por Justicia (United Renters for Justice), and policy consultant Sean Burke.

The first half of the meeting included a rundown of the positive developments since last year, including enactment of several state-level policy changes recommended in the Subsidizing Abuse report. Presenters and attendees also discussed how these changes could be leveraged to further improve the lives of workers and renters. 

In the second half, the agenda turned to exploring what additional tools and policies could make further positive change, including zoning reform and funding social housing. Participants, who included leadership from several Building Trades unions as well as a variety of community organizations, left energized by the thoughtful discussion and excited to reconvene in early 2025 ahead of the next state legislative session.