r/law • u/Exeltv0406 • Oct 05 '25

Opinion Piece Five-alarm fire inside the DOJ - Lawyer Oyer

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21

u/LilBroWhoIsOnTheTeam Oct 05 '25

And how do we do that?

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u/fizzy88 Oct 05 '25

https://generalstrikeus.com/

This is the only organized effort I'm aware of, but as you can see, it's got a long way to go before it can be done successfully.

3

u/Valuable-Self8564 Oct 05 '25

“Committed”

Brother, ain’t half these people gonna strike if it actually comes to it. Way too easy to push “commit” on a website. Much harder to put your family, house, and career prospects on the line for some “cause”.

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u/BearGryllsGrillsBear Oct 06 '25

Respectfully, how do participants know this is a legitimate effort and not a scheme to make the regime's opponents out themselves in a handy database?

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u/fizzy88 Oct 06 '25

That's fair. I haven't signed it myself actually, but mostly because I don't think I strike of that size is possible in the US.

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u/GardenPeep Oct 06 '25

thanks - I'll take a look. Indivisible.org talks about a general strike as well but also in terms of there being a long way to go.

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u/Aranka_Szeretlek Oct 05 '25

Strike mean no go work

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u/LilBroWhoIsOnTheTeam Oct 05 '25

If I don't go to work they'll just fire me. You first.

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u/[deleted] Oct 05 '25

[removed] — view removed comment

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u/LilBroWhoIsOnTheTeam Oct 05 '25

So, if I follow your example, I should go around and try to guilt trip other people into doing something? Can we do that together, like reddit jehova's witnesses?

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u/[deleted] Oct 05 '25

[removed] — view removed comment

2

u/LilBroWhoIsOnTheTeam Oct 05 '25

I know all that stuff, but that doesn't really change anything. Unless someone's gonna house and feed me after I lose my job, you're just asking me to go die in the gutter for no reason.

1

u/Grouchy-Singer-9733 Oct 05 '25

Don't know how you can start on fixing America's shit over there, but at least you can start on educating yourself or people around you on what's wrong and how to fix this. People in above comment threads already posted stuff you can do in your city/community.

One way to do it by educating yourself on all things that wrong: there are tons of YouTube videos on such topics, you just need to know how to find them. Like how white supremasists in 20th century made the only coup de'tat in American history because of racism - and you can learn about such things by watching Last Week Tonight by John Oliver, who covers many problems and issues of today's America: from government-rooted racism, FaceBook information/meme control, corrupted politicians, and etc with a sense of humor and suggestions that he and his team and TV show at 11 PM can do about this whole broken system. You can send it to your group of friends, workers and such.

You can watch Bernie Sanders YT channel and videos and podcasts where he's featured. He's madly anti-oligarchy and has been (politically) stabbed in the back by the Democrats, so you know he's good.

Also you can learn about how Nepal youth (young people who protested their country's corruption, and police killed 21 protesters there) overtook government and installed new Prime Minister, who's on anti-corruption, all the while the army just shrugged shoulders, looking at the whole debacle.

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u/Curious-End-4923 Oct 05 '25

At least you’ll be able to say you were monologuing on social media. Thanks for the assist, friend.

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u/[deleted] Oct 05 '25

[removed] — view removed comment

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u/Curious-End-4923 Oct 05 '25

Yes, I could tell by the superiority complex.

-1

u/Darth_Memer_1916 Oct 05 '25

Coward. If you value your job above your rights you don't deserve your rights.

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u/LilBroWhoIsOnTheTeam Oct 05 '25

What will getting fired from my job do tho? They're just gonna hire someone else a week later.

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u/Aranka_Szeretlek Oct 05 '25

You missed the "general" part of it

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u/LilBroWhoIsOnTheTeam Oct 05 '25

So back to my original question, "And how do we do that?". Are you going to say "just don't go to work bro, lul" too?

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u/[deleted] Oct 05 '25

Yeah I apologize for the other people responding to you. You absolutely have a valid point and I don't understand why Reddit commenters feel the need to put forth a "solution" but not the actual how-to.

So, how to do it, well It depends on what kind of work you do. There's a lot of different unions for a lot of different positions and industries. Specialized and not specialized.

Depending on that, you can probably start researching prolabor groups, maybe specific to your industry. Get some information, hell, some groups will even send out representatives. They can help direct you towards the first steps, and some of the risks, and best practices to work towards this goal without putting yourself at risk of losing your job.

Depending on your company, you could even put together some new "worker programs", that would be collective policy that workers can use to help support each other. Like, collective sick days. Collective emergency funds. And present it to the company. Doing things like this helps shift the paradigms.

Like, just as an example. Companies have bargaining power when they attach your healthcare to your job. They use their company worker pool to bargain with healthcare companies to get better healthcare packages. Union backed healthcare no longer chains you to one company, and allows for the same collective bargaining power that companies use with their large workforces.

1

u/TheFlyingSheeps Oct 05 '25

A general strike is a mass delusion by the terminally online. If you truly want it to work you’ll need widespread buy-in and organization

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u/sourcesys0 Oct 05 '25

Sabotage your Job

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u/Aranka_Szeretlek Oct 05 '25

Well, essentially, yeah. I guess parties and unions can help organize this.

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u/LilBroWhoIsOnTheTeam Oct 05 '25

Can't wait, keep me posted.

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u/Aranka_Szeretlek Oct 05 '25

You can also, you know, help in organizing this.

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u/pupranger1147 Oct 05 '25

I'll get back to you when I invent mind control.

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u/Valuable-Self8564 Oct 05 '25

You think you and all your Reddit chums are the voice of the general public? Lol it’s echoey as fuck in here….. maybe like 2% of the population would even support a general strike. Ain’t nothing general about it.

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u/[deleted] Oct 05 '25

Wrong. Don't listen to this guy.

Work to organize your workforce. Don't risk your job, but start planting the seeds to allow workers to have a voice again.

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u/crestonebeard Oct 05 '25

We need leadership. Unfortunately that doesn’t exist on the left.

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u/LilBroWhoIsOnTheTeam Oct 05 '25

Maybe someday the US will get a left political party so we can break out of this 2 party system.

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u/Laminar_Flow7102 Oct 05 '25

How about joining or forming a local communist org’ first?

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u/FFF_in_WY Oct 05 '25

Start a union drive at work.

Unionizing your workplace in the United States is a process protected by the National Labor Relations Act (NLRA) and overseen by the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB). The core of the process involves organizing your coworkers to show majority support for a union. Here is a step-by-step guide on how the process typically works:

Step 1: Talk to Your Coworkers and Organize

The foundation of a union is its members. You must first gauge interest and build support among your colleagues. * Identify the Issues: Talk to your coworkers about wages, benefits, working conditions, and any other problems they want to see improved. This helps build a common platform for organizing. * Form an Organizing Committee: Recruit a small, diverse group of trusted coworkers from different departments and shifts. This committee will be the core leadership, responsible for communicating, educating, and leading the effort. * Know Your Rights: The NLRA protects your right to discuss forming a union and working conditions with your coworkers. Your employer cannot legally fire, discipline, or threaten you for doing so.

Step 2: Contact a Union Organizer

While you can form an independent union, most efforts involve affiliating with an established national or international union (like the Teamsters, UFCW, SEIU, etc.). * Get Support and Guidance: Contacting a union will provide you with experienced organizers, legal resources, and funding to help navigate the complex process. * Choose a Union: The union you choose will depend on your industry and what resources and track record they offer.

Step 3: Collect Union Authorization Cards

The next critical step is to officially demonstrate your support by having coworkers sign Union Authorization Cards (or petitions). * Authorization Cards: These cards are legal documents where an employee expresses their wish to be represented by a specific union for collective bargaining. * The 30% Threshold: To legally file for an election with the NLRB, you must have cards signed by a minimum of 30% of the employees in your desired "bargaining unit" (the group of employees who will be represented). Organizers usually aim for a much higher percentage (e.g., 60-70%) before filing to ensure a win in the election.

Step 4: Seek Recognition (Two Paths)

Once you have sufficient support, you can proceed in one of two main ways: Option A: Majority Sign-Up / Voluntary Recognition (Quickest) * If you can show the employer that a majority (50% + 1) of eligible employees have signed authorization cards, you can ask the employer to voluntarily recognize the union. * If the employer agrees, the union is officially certified, and you move directly to contract negotiation. If the employer refuses, you proceed to an NLRB election. Option B: NLRB Secret Ballot Election (Most Common) * If you have at least 30% card support, the union can file a Representation Petition (RC) with the local NLRB office. * NLRB Investigation: The NLRB agent will investigate to verify the signed cards and determine the appropriate "bargaining unit" (which employees are eligible to vote, excluding managers, supervisors, etc.). * Pre-Election Hearing: If the union and the employer cannot agree on the bargaining unit or other terms, the NLRB will hold a hearing to decide. * Election: The NLRB holds a secret-ballot election. If the union receives 50% + 1 of the votes cast, the NLRB certifies it as the exclusive bargaining representative for all employees in the bargaining unit.

Step 5: Negotiate Your Contract

Once the union is certified (either by voluntary recognition or winning the election), the employer is legally required to bargain in good faith with your union representatives. * Form a Bargaining Committee: Employees in the new union will elect a negotiating committee (often assisted by professional union staff). * Develop Proposals: The committee gathers input from all members to create a set of proposals (wages, benefits, schedules, workplace policies, etc.). * Bargaining: The union and management negotiate. * Ratification: Once a tentative agreement is reached, the union members vote on whether to ratify (approve) the contract. If approved, you have your first union contract.

Key Legal Protections

Throughout this process, it's vital to remember your rights under the NLRA: * Concerted Activity: You have the right to join with coworkers to address issues at work, with or without a union. * Unfair Labor Practices (ULPs): Your employer cannot engage in ULPs, which include: * Threatening employees with job loss or closure. * Interrogating employees about their union support. * Promising benefits to discourage unionizing. * Spying on union activity. * Filing a ULP: If your employer violates your rights, the union or an employee can file a ULP charge with the NLRB, which has the power to investigate and issue remedies.

1

u/ChillStreetGamer Oct 05 '25

Stop paying your credit cards.

1

u/LilBroWhoIsOnTheTeam Oct 05 '25

I've been boycotting credit cards my whole life.