Lesson plan; How ‘strike culture’ took hold in the US in 2023

Hundreds of thousands of US workers have walked off the job this year. Instead of the exception, labour stoppages could become the norm. On 14 September, when members of the United Auto Workers (UAW) union walked off the job at three Midwest auto factories owned by General Motors, Ford and Stellantis, it seemed a fitting way for the US labour movement to cap this year’s summer of strikes. And collective action is only continuing. Source: BBC

Standards

• CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RL.9-10.2: Determine a theme or central idea of a text and analyze in detail its development over the course of the text, including how it emerges and is shaped and refined by specific details; provide an objective summary of the text.
• CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RL.9-10.3: Analyze how complex characters (e.g., those with multiple or conflicting motivations) develop over the course of a text, interact with other characters, and advance the plot or develop the theme.

Objective: Students will be able to identify and explain the main facts about labor union history in the U.S. and their impact on workers’ rights and social movements.

Activities:

1. Introduction:

   • Begin by asking students what they know about strike culture.
   • Define strike culture as the collective action of workers who go on strike to demand better working conditions, wages, or benefits.
   • Explain that strike culture has become increasingly prevalent in the US in recent years, with workers in a wide range of industries taking to the picket line.
   •  Show them the video from the current web page context and ask them to pay attention to the main events and people mentioned. (10 minutes)

• Discussion: After watching the video, ask students to share what they learned and what questions they have. Use the following questions to guide the discussion: (15 minutes)
  • What are some of the benefits of labor unions for workers?
  • What are some of the challenges and conflicts that labor unions faced in the past and present?
  • Who are some of the key figures and groups that supported or opposed labor unions and why?
  • How did labor unions contribute to social change and justice in the U.S.?
  • How do labor unions relate to current issues and debates in the U.S.?
• Assessment: Have students work in pairs or small groups to create a timeline of the six facts about labor union history in the U.S. from the current web page context. They should include the date, event, and a brief explanation of its significance. They can use the text and the video as sources of information. Have them present their timelines to the class and compare and contrast them. (15 minutes)

 

Essay questions

• he causes and consequences of the rise of strike culture in the US in 2023
• The impact of strike culture on American society
• The role of strike culture in a democracy
  • ers or pens
  • Handouts on strike culture (optional)
  • News articles and videos on recent strikes in the US (optional)
  2. Assessment:

     • Have students write a short essay on one of the following topics:

       • The causes and consequences of the rise of strike culture in the US in 2023
       • The impact of strike culture on American society
       • The role of strike culture in a democracy

• Extension Activities:

  • Have students create a poster or presentation on the history of strikes in the US.
  • Have students interview a worker who has participated in a strike.
  • Have students research the labor laws in the US and compare them to the labor laws in other countries.

  Essay Questions:

  • What are the causes and consequences of the rise of strike culture in the US in 2023?
  • Analyze the impact of strike culture on American society.
  • What role does strike culture play in a democracy?
  • Compare and contrast the strike culture in the US to the strike culture in another country.
  • Discuss the ethical implications of strike culture.