Jane McAlevey is a powerhouse in the labor organizing world, with a career full of successful campaigns and innovative strategies. From her time leading campaigns for the A.F.L.-C.I.O. and the Service Employees International Union, to her consulting work with labor groups across the country, McAlevey has been at the forefront of energizing unions and fighting back against anti-union tactics.
But her impact goes beyond just labor organizing. McAlevey has also worked with immigrant rights organizations, tenant groups, and climate activists, showing her commitment to social justice issues across the board. She’s even taken her expertise global, advising unions in Germany, Ireland, Canada, Australia, and the United Kingdom.
In 2019, McAlevey expanded her reach even further by leading a free online course, “Organizing for Power,” through the Rosa Luxemburg Foundation in Berlin. The course drew an impressive 36,000 participants from 130 countries, with workshops translated into multiple languages to ensure accessibility.
Kate Bronfenbrenner, director of labor education research at Cornell University, praised McAlevey’s teaching methods, which have inspired a new generation of organizers to use their rank-and-file power effectively. McAlevey’s workshops at the U.C. Berkeley Labor Center have drawn thousands of participants, including members and staffers from large unions like United Food and Commercial Workers local No. 770.
McAlevey’s impact on the labor movement is undeniable, and her commitment to teaching and inspiring others to organize for power is truly commendable. It’s clear that her work will continue to shape the future of labor organizing for years to come.
