Chapter 1: Where Do We Go from Here?
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MORE THAN THE SUM OF THEIR PARTS? LABOR-COMMUNITY COALITIONS IN THE RUST BELT by David S. Dobbie A dissertation submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy (Social Work and Sociology) in the University of Michigan 2008 Doctoral Committee: Professor Howard A. Kimeldorf, Co-Chair Professor Michael S. Reisch, Co-Chair Assistant Professor Julia F. Paley Lecturer E. Ian Robinson David Reynolds, Wayne State University Copyright David S. Dobbie 2008 All rights reserved. To my grandmothers, Janice E. Dobbie and J. Enid Garner. ii Acknowledgements While any such project is an inherently collective enterprise, a dissertation accrues a particularly large pool of debts as one hesitatingly feels the way through this first “real” research project. First and foremost, this dissertation would have impossible without the generosity of dozens of activists in Pittsburgh, Chicago, Milwaukee, and beyond, who patiently told and retold their stories, guided me through my analysis, and provided feedback on what I wrote. John Goldstein, Madeline Talbott, Ken Snyder, and Tim Vining, in particular, paved the way for me with their advocacy. Scholars, archivists, and librarians in all three cities helped me access much of the information that enriched this project. David Rosenberg, at the University of Pittsburgh archives, was particularly welcoming to a young scholar who had no idea what he was looking for. I am especially grateful to those who found the topic important and encouraged me to continue— your words kept me going through the long days in the computer lab. I offer heartfelt thanks to the members of my committee and all the other academic mentors who have guided me along the way. Michael Reisch has been a steady presence throughout my time in grad school, providing a living model of how to maintain a commitment to social justice within teaching and scholarly work, and always willing to provide thoughtful feedback and advice. Howard Kimeldorf also taught me a tremendous amount through example. I’ve never met anyone able to provide such incisive and helpful critiques, and my ability to conceptualize a research project, analyze data, and suggest conclusions is much stronger for his influence. Julia Paley, Ian Robinson, and David Reynolds each pushed me to explore deeper and provided feedback on drafts—the final product is much richer as a result of their perspectives and expertise. I feel especially lucky that David Reynolds, arguably the expert in the field, was just down the road at Wayne State and so willing to play a central role in this project. iii Material resources from several sources kept a roof over my head throughout this process. The National Science Foundation, School of Social Work, Sociology Department, and Rackham Graduate School provided grants. The American Federation of Teachers employed me as a somewhat erratic and often distracted organizer, which enabled me to extend my time in the field. Staff in the Sociology Department and Social Work Doctoral Office, particularly Rick Smoke, Pat Preston, Todd Huynh, and Laura Thomas, did much work behind the scenes that kept me in health insurance, reimbursement checks, and functioning technology. Finally, my deepest gratitude to the good friends who housed me in each city: Jeff Shook and Sara Goodkind, Paul Sickel, Brian Rothgery, Katie and Cullen Padgett-Walsh, and Elana Buch. I wouldn’t be here without several other mentors. Kim Cummings introduced me to sociology and organizing as an undergrad remains one of the most important influences in my life. David Hecker, more than anyone else, introduced me to the labor movement in southeast Michigan and beyond, and has always been a steadfast friend and supporter. For my personal immersion in the labor movement, I will always have a special place in my heart for the sisters and brothers of AFT Local 3550—the Graduate Employees’ Organization— particularly those who came before us and paved the way. Jon Curtiss, Alyssa Picard, Mark Dilley, Cedric DeLeon, Urmila Venkatesh, Rachel Meyer, Dan Shoup and many others shaped who I am today. In addition to my parents, brothers, and the rest of my family, I also want to thank all the folks connected with the University who provided feedback and kept me going over the years: Amy Hammock, Laura Wernick, Emily Heaphy, Rachel Meyer, Alice Gates, Jewel Woods, Sheshalatha Reddy, Sadia Saeed, Avi Astor, Zakiya Luna, Yael Harlap, Eric Eide, Mucahit Bilici, David Sommerfeld, Darcy Leach, Alex Gerber, Baris Buyukokutan, Besnik Pula, Hiro Saito, Tanya Saunders, L’Heureux Lewis, Al Defreece, Al Young, Peggy Somers, Larry Root, David Tucker, Diane Kaplan Vinokur, Lorraine Gutierrez, CK Lee, Jayati Lal, Mark Mizruchi, and Karen Staller. Thank you one and all. iv Table of Contents Dedication…………………………………………………………….………………ii Acknowledgements .........................................................................................iii List of Figures.................................................................................................vii List of Acronyms............................................................................................viii Chapter 1: Where Do We Go From Here?......................................................... 1 Why Do Movements Emerge Where and When They Do? ............................. 3 Research Methods ........................................................................................ 17 Overview of Cases ........................................................................................ 20 Conclusion: Strategic Evolution through Praxis............................................. 34 Chapter 2: Organizational Structures for Building Local Power .................. 39 Introduction: Networks, Social Capital and Movement Infrastructure ............ 40 Strategy 1: Developing Local Movement Infrastructures of Strong Organizations Linked by Flexible Intermediaries ..................................... 43 Strategy 2: Building Intermediaries in Layers and Over Time ....................... 57 Strategy 3: Using Campaigns to Catalyze Relationships and Strengthen Infrastructure............................................................................................ 65 Conclusion: Building a Flexible Infrastructure and Seizing Opportunities ..... 72 Chapter 3: Creating Cultures of Solidarity Across Racial Boundaries........ 83 Introduction: Organizational Culture and Prefigurative Politics...................... 83 Breaking the Cycle: Building Working Class Solidarity Across Differences... 92 Strategy 1: Changing Group Norms to Create Beloved Communities........... 98 Strategy 2: Changing Individual Norms to Foster Bridge-Building............... 108 Strategy 3: Breaking Cycles of Criticism and Defensiveness in Campaigns117 Conclusion: Cultural Change Strategies for Multiracial Organizing ............. 128 v Chapter 4: Combining Strategies to Reshape Local Politics...................... 132 Introduction: Local Political Contexts of Post-Industrial Rust Belt Cities ..... 133 Challenging the Neoliberal Growth Machine ............................................... 140 Strategy 1: Coordinating Strategies, Goals, and Timeframes ..................... 142 Strategy 2: Proactively Shaping Policy Conversations................................ 155 Strategy 3: Independent Political Action...................................................... 160 Conclusion: Moving into a Governing Stance.............................................. 169 Chapter 5: Moving Forward and Drawing Conclusions .............................. 172 Guiding Strategic Evolution and Innovation Forward .................................. 173 Summing Up: Spheres of Strategic Intervention ......................................... 177 Sphere 1: Building Organizational Infrastructure......................................... 178 Sphere 2: Developing Cultures of Solidarity................................................ 189 Sphere 3: Using Campaigns to Build Power Strategically........................... 192 Developing Strategies and Bridging the Activist-Academic Divide .............. 193 References ...................................................................................................... 196 vi List of Figures Figure 1.1: Demographics of Cities and Surrounding Counties, 2006 ................ 20 Figure 1.2: Map of Milwaukee City Council Districts........................................... 26 Figure 1.3: Map of Pittsburgh City Council Districts............................................ 30 Figure 1.4: Map of Chicago City Council Districts............................................... 33 Figure 1.5: Major Collaborative Efforts in Each City ........................................... 34 Figure 1.6: Spheres of Practice and Intervention................................................ 36 Figure 2.1: Levels of Organizational Analysis and Social Capital....................... 42 Figure 2.2: Three Types of Movement Intermediaries ........................................ 76 Figure 2.3: Variations in Focus Among Movement Intermediaries ..................... 76 Figure 2.4: Conceptual Map of Local Movements .............................................. 79 Figure 2.5: Types of Cross-Sector Working Class Organizing............................ 80 Figure 3.1: Pluralist Approaches to Cultural Difference ...................................... 96 Figure 3.2: Traditional and Prefigurative Organizational Norms ....................... 129 Figure 4.1: Demographics of Cities and