longer.blue

Out of curiosity, I searched for General Strike pages on FB. I found 21 in the U.S. with a total combined membership of 52,273 members. They range in size from 2 members to 24,000 in one group. IMHO, therein lies the problem. There are so many people calling for a general strike without doing the work necessary for it to have any success. I am aware of only one coalition of 28 groups who doing the work, General Strike US(GSUS). If you another, let me know. A "failed general strike" is a gift to the opposition. Crushed Momentum: A strike that ends in a whimper because everyone had to go back to work out of hunger makes the workforce feel powerless. Strengthening the Opponent: If an employer or government weathers an unplanned strike easily, they realize they don't actually have to negotiate, leading to harsher conditions later. A general strike is one of the most powerful tools in the labor arsenal, but it’s also one of the most difficult to execute. It isn't just a large protest; it is the total withdrawal of labor across multiple industries to achieve a political or economic goal. For a general strike to move from a "day of action" to a successful leverage point, the following elements are typically required: 1. Mass Participation and "Critical Mass" A strike fails if only one sector shuts down. Success depends on inter-industry solidarity. Logistics & Transit: If buses, trains, and ports stop, the entire economy freezes. Infrastructure: Power, water, and communications sectors provide the ultimate leverage. Public Support: You need the "passive" consent of the non-striking public so that the government cannot easily turn the population against the movement. 2. Mutual Aid and Strike Funds People cannot strike if they cannot eat. Because general strikes often last indefinitely, a robust support system is mandatory. Strike Funds: Unions must have deep reserves to distribute stipends. Community Kitchens: Establishing networks to provide food and medicine to strikers and their families. Eviction Resistance: Mechanisms to protect strikers from losing their homes during prolonged work stoppages. 3. Unified and Clear Demands Ambiguity is the enemy of a general strike. The movement needs a "North Star" that everyone agrees on. The "Why": Whether it’s a specific wage increase, the resignation of a leader, or the repeal of a law, the goal must be easy to communicate. No Early Exit: Leadership must ensure that one sector doesn't take a "side deal" and go back to work, leaving the others exposed. 4. Alternative Power Structures When the official systems stop running, the strike organizers must be able to manage the chaos. Strike Committees: Local groups that decide which "essential services" (like hospitals) stay open to prevent unnecessary loss of life. Internal Communication: A way to spread information that doesn't rely on state-controlled media or corporate platforms that might be shut down. 5. Escalation and Resilience The state and employers will likely respond with a mix of legal threats, police action, or "scab" labor. Picket Line Integrity: Preventing the use of replacement workers. Psychological Endurance: Preparing the workforce for the fact that things will likely get harder before they get better.