The recent strike involving 9,000 Philadelphia city workers has emerged as a pivotal moment in the ongoing struggle of the working class against the capitalist ruling elite.
This strike, lasting eight days, was not merely a local labor dispute but a reflection of a broader conflict involving the Democratic Party’s collusion with Republicans to enforce severe budget cuts nationwide.
The strike illuminated not only the power of a united working class but also highlighted the role of the entrenched union bureaucracy in undermining this potential for solidarity.
During the action, AFSCME, the union representing the striking workers, took steps to undermine the workers’ resolve.
The culmination of the strike resulted in a contract offer from the city that bore a striking similarity to its initial proposal, effectively stifling the momentum of the workers’ movement.
Throughout the strike, the World Socialist Web Site (WSWS) played a significant role, offering continuous updates and analyses aimed at encouraging workers to widen their struggle and protect against the risks posed by union leadership.
The WSWS urged the formation of independent rank-and-file committees to foster a broader coalition against the union bureaucracy and to amplify the strike’s impact across the city.
In response, the Philadelphia Workers Rank-and-File Strike Committee was established, advocating for reinstating the strike, boosting strike pay, and implementing annual wage increases.
Conversely, the Democratic Socialists of America (DSA) took a different approach, reinforcing the authority of the existing union leadership rather than fostering a grassroots movement.
This response by the DSA illustrates its alignment with the Democratic Party, as opposed to representing the genuine interests of workers.
At the national level, several DSA members, including prominent figures such as Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, have supported policies that conflict with labor interests, including voting for strike bans and approving funding for military actions abroad.
In Philadelphia, DSA-backed officials have also been critiqued for failing to support the striking workers decisively.
The DSA’s influence extends into various important unions across major U.S. cities, including key leadership positions within the United Auto Workers and the Chicago Teachers Union.
Notably, the DSA was implicated in enforcing a media silence about the strike within corporate media outlets.
Jacobin magazine, seen as a DSA mouthpiece, published only a couple of perfunctory pieces regarding the strike days after it began.
The reluctance of DSA publications to report on the strike’s abrupt conclusion and the contentious agreement imposed on workers raises questions about their commitment to worker advocacy.
On the ground, DSA representatives discouraged picketers from raising broader political issues that could challenge the union leadership, focusing instead solely on adhering to union directives.
Their instructions included avoiding politically charged attire to prevent conflicts with union officials.
This effort to suppress a social justice narrative was compounded by DSA members who cautioned against public criticism of AFSCME’s handling of the strike, even while privately acknowledging failures within the union.
One DSA member reminded colleagues not to imitate the WSWS in denouncing the leadership’s sellout, revealing their reluctance to confront uncomfortable truths openly.
The DSA’s tactics significantly hampered the workers’ potential for resistance against AFSCME’s compromise, as the union’s narrative predominated, asserting that no further negotiations would occur without union support.
However, dissent among workers had been brewing, with some expressing a willingness to push back against AFSCME’s authority should the leadership provide any encouragement.
It is crucial for socialists to speak the truth to workers, equipping them to identify their true allies and adversaries.
Yet, the DSA’s behavior throughout the strike indicated an unwillingness to provide such clarity.
On July 26, the DSA’s labor committee organized a public discussion focused on the strike outcome, yet limited political discourse and prioritized maintaining a positive atmosphere over substantive criticism of union leadership.
Participants echoed concerns about the political maneuvers of the city’s Democratic mayor, who manipulated the courts against the strike.
Several workers expressed frustration that they had been prepared to resist these legal challenges but lacked the backing of their union leaders.
Instead of advocating for their fellow workers, some DSA members suggested a more reformist approach, advocating for voting out the judges who imposed injunctions rather than confronting the larger political implications.
Such proposals display a troubling naivety about effectively challenging systemic issues within a political framework beholden to capitalist interests.
The DSA’s entrenchment within the union hierarchy cannot be underscored enough, as they have collaborated with union leadership instead of acting as agents for worker empowerment.
In previous events, AFSCME DC 33 officials have participated prominently at DSA gatherings, indicating a close partnership that ultimately serves to maintain the bureaucratic status quo.
This trend mirrors past labor disputes, such as the battle between Chicago teachers and the DSA-backed mayor, where DSA members supported inadequate contracts ultimately leading to further financial crises and cuts.
Significantly, the Chicago Teachers Union, under DSA influence, has faced backlash for a perceived betrayal of workers’ interests, similar to occurrences in Philadelphia’s recent strike.
In both cases, the DSA’s involvement has frequently aligned with the Democratic Party’s objectives, blunting genuine workers’ initiatives and relegating their voices to a subordinate position.
The Philadelphia strike serves as a dire reminder of the necessity for authentic rank-and-file leadership free from bureaucratic constraints.
Workers’ right to organize their struggles independently and challenge the prevailing capitalist order must be emphasized above all else.
An unwavering commitment to fighting for genuine worker representation will be essential in the face of diminishing opportunities and constant attempts by established political entities to stymie genuine labor advancements.
image source from：wsws
