Is there still power in a union?
Summary
Academy Award-winning filmmaker Barbara Koppel discusses her new documentary, Union Town, which follows the struggle for better wages and safety among delivery workers in New York City. She reflects on her early career filming the 1975 Harlan County, USA, where she faced violence during a coal strike, and compares those historical battles to modern corporate tactics like union-busting and the use of "independent" contractors. Koppel highlights the human cost of the gig economy, including the invisibility of workers and the threat of automation, while emphasizing the resilience of young acti…
Topics discussed
Lowe's Pro Savings Days advertisement
Introduction to Barbara Koppel and Harlan County, USA
Reflections on filming the 1970s coal strike
The danger of armed strike breakers and miners
Lessons from Harlan County and the price on Koppel's head
Introduction to Union Town and modern labor tactics
The invisibility of delivery workers in 2026
The physical and financial costs of gig work
Stories of UPS and bike delivery workers
The death of 24-year-old delivery worker Victor Hidalgo
Lowe's Pro Savings Days advertisement
Sponsor segment: Commotion podcast on Ed Sheeran
The decline of union membership and 'givebacks'
Public misunderstanding of unions and solidarity
Class differences: UPS drivers vs. Amazon gig workers
Amazon's 'independent contractor' model and control
The fight for agency, safety, and living wages
Consumer responsibility and the future of young workers
Robots, automation, and the CEO of UPS
Conclusion: The role of consumers and Koppel's legacy
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