We need to go back to Hillman’s vision and look beyond the current valley of union decline. The labor movement needs to make sure workers can see the tangible value of union membership – not just in a bigger paycheck and stronger job protections, but also in their networked economic power. Unions need to get back in the business of building banks, insurance companies, day care centers, affordable vacation destinations — and even dreaming up new 21st century institutions, like union-owned urban farms. They should be a welcoming home for social-purpose venture capitalists and entrepreneurs.
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