Welcome to DSA Labor!
What is DSA Labor?
DSA Labor (the National Labor Commission or NLC) is a body of DSA members active in the labor movement. The NLC seeks to be a central node of labor-related organizing resources, advises DSA’s National Political Committee (NPC) on matters relating to labor, builds channels within DSA for labor activist networking and discussions, develops resources to tackle the challenges faced by socialists in their workplaces, and ultimately strengthens an intersectional, worker-led struggle. Our mission is to build working class power and support a fighting labor movement to win socialism.
In 2018, the steering committee adopted criteria for membership to the DSLC, and in 2022, the DSLC became the NLC. The NLC is composed of DSA members in good standing who are involved in a local labor formation such as a committee, working group, or branch in their chapter. If those DSA members do not have a local labor formation within their branch, members can join the NLC on an individual basis if they are union members, part of an organizing campaign, or a professional with a focus on labor issues or political economy.
You can think of the NLC as DSA’s national labor branch. We are here to support local labor bodies, connect them with resources, provide political education, and lead DSA’s national labor strategy.
How can I get involved?
In order to become a member of DSA Labor, you must be a current member of DSA, fill out the DSA Labor membership application, and be either a member of a DSA labor formation or meet one of the following criteria.
- Be a union or worker center member or retiree
- Work for a union, worker center, or legal advocacy firm that represents workers
- Be a part of a workplace organizing drive
- Be a journalist, academic, or writer with a focus in labor studies and/or economy
As a member of DSA Labor, you are encouraged to get involved with our active campaigns and/or apply to join one of our committees. The NLC Steering Committee will host quarterly membership meetings at least four times annually. The Steering Committee will share the time and date of each meeting with the membership at least fourteen days in advance of each meeting.
In addition to our quarterly membership meetings, the NLC uses Discord to communicate and coordinate with membership. Upon joining the NLC, you will receive a link to join our Discord server.
What resources do you have available?
- The Rank-and-File Strategy: A guide from the National Labor Commission
- Why Socialists Should Become Teachers: A pamphlet encouraging socialists to industrialize in education
What are my responsibilities as a member?
Members will be responsible for advancing the mission and strategic campaigns of the NLC within their chapters and through the NLC. Additionally, members will be empowered to elect a Steering Committee and to make decisions through membership-wide voting and the Amendments Process. Members may submit proposals to the Steering Committee for consideration.
All members of DSA Labor are required to abide by our Code of Conduct and Bylaws.
Members shall not engage in harassment on the basis of sex, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, physical appearance, disability, race, color, religion, national origin, class, age, or profession. Members may follow the standard DSA complaint process if they believe they have been harassed by another member. There will be no time limits requiring the accuser to file a report within any amount of time after the alleged harassment has occurred.