0:00:05 Neoliberal Attacks: Labor has faced severe attacks during the neoliberal period, starting with Reagan and Thatcher's anti-union actions, using internationally banned strategies.
0:01:05 Weakening Protections: Changes in laws and defunding of the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) made labor organizing more difficult.
0:01:22 NAFTA's Impact: The North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA), opposed by labor, prioritized low wages and growth, benefiting corporations at the expense of worker's right.
0:01:48 Labor's Alternative: The labor action commitee's proposal that was seconded by congress's research bureau (since disbanded) was a North American Free Trade Agreement based on high wages and high growth.
0:03:04 Post-NAFTA Study: A study under NAFTA rules revealed its dire effect on union organizing, showing businesses used threats of relocation to suppress unions.
0:04:19 Strike Breaking Industry: A major industry developed around "scientific methods of strike breaking," many of which were illegal, but unenforced due to government inaction.
0:04:45 Declining Unionization: The labor movement sharply declined, despite a majority of workers wanting to unionize.
0:05:16 Amazon Victory: The Amazon workers' unionization victory in Staten Island is a significant break from this trend, despite strong corporate opposition.
0:06:01 Revival Signs: Small signs of labor revival began in non-unionized areas, such as teacher strikes in red states like Arizona and West Virginia.
0:06:27 Defunding Education: Neoliberal programs also targeted public education, defunding schools, and aiming to dismantle the public education system.
0:06:50 Public Education Achievement: Public education, a major American achievement, significantly contributed to democracy and societal health.
0:08:40 Teacher Strikes: Teachers fought not just for better salaries but also for improved conditions and resources for students.
0:09:33 Despite the referendum in Arizona to fun schools better, the Republican legislation won't.
0:10:14 Scattered Victories: There have been other scattered victories, like Starbucks and General Motors, but a long road remains.
0:10:19 NLRB Reconstitution: The NLRB needs to be reconstituted to fulfill its legal responsibility of defending workers.
0:10:40 Biden Administration Attempts: The current administration's efforts to strengthen the NLRB have been blocked by Republican opposition and some right-wing Democrats.
0:11:10 Historical Parallel: The situation is compared to the early 1930s, where a crushed labor movement revived amid the Depression, leading to the New Deal.
0:12:25 Ongoing Battle: The Amazon victory is an example of what's possible, but the attack on labor continues, requiring ongoing dedication and commitment.