Dear John,

As we’re writing this, it’s a crispy fall morning. This is the last News Digest we (Jessica + Katie) will be writing for you. But don’t worry – the Digest will continue with a new author. Keep reading to find out who!

It has been such an honor and privilege to keep up with the news with all of you over the past year. I (Jessica) celebrated my seventh anniversary at TakeAction this past week. As I’ve reflected on the past seven years, the biggest highlight during my time with the organization is the people. 

TakeAction’s members and supporters – including all of you – are dedicated to changing the status quo for racial, gender and economic justice. In this News Digest, we’ve explored stories that point us towards what it means to practice a different kind of politics. We’ve seen workers pushing back against corporations and activists organizing for climate justice. We’ve learned about what it means to see a government that works for the people. And, the work is not done.

Right now, TakeAction is having our annual Member Drive. We’re inviting 100 people to invest in TakeAction this month. Our members power our organizing, including this News Digest email. If you’ve been digging the News Digest week after week, we invite you to become a member with a $5, $20, or $50 contribution. Your support will go towards year-round organizing for our people and the planet.

Next time, you’ll hear from Jessie Lee-Bauder (she/her), who will be writing the Digest this fall. Jessie is a TakeAction staff alum and is currently working as a digital organizer at Voices for Racial Justice. More about Jessie soon!

Here’s what we’re reading, watching, and listening to this week.

1. UAW on strike

For the first time in history, roughly 13,000 UAW members are striking. There are over 145,000 UAW members across the Big Three automakers, including General Motors, Ford and Stellantis (formerly Chrysler).

See photos and follow updates here (and be sure to watch the union’s video grounding in their historic Sit Down strikes!)

2. Dignity for construction workers

The Guardian reports on Centro de Trabajadores Unidos en la Lucha (CTUL)’s organizing for a Building Dignity and Respect Standards Council, a group they want Minneapolis-area building developers to join to be accountable to a code of conduct and rights for construction workers.

One study found that over 30,000 Minnesota construction workers (23 percent of the total workforce) are misclassified as independent contractors and paid off the books. The study said misclassified construction workers earn $29,700 less a year (36 percent less) in wages and benefits than they should. 

3. Contract fights are fights for multiracial democracy

Earlier this summer, former union organizer turned writer Jane McAlevey wrote about the stakes for US politics in the historic UPS and UAW contract negotiations.

4. The U.S. is choosing to keep kids in poverty

After an all-time low rate of childhood poverty with investments in our social safety nets early in the pandemic, childhood poverty is now increasing again.

5. Student debt and capitalism's insecurity machine

On Democracy Now, Minnesota AG Keith Ellison and student debt activist Astra Taylor talk about organizing that shines a light on the impact of student debt payments re-starting.

6. Higher income? Higher admittance to top colleges

Check out this tool from The New York Times, which displays the likelihood of college admittance at top colleges, depending on income. Spoiler alert: students from higher-income families are far more likely to get admitted.

7. Over $1 billion for trees

Minnesota cities will see $33 million worth of tree planting from this federal program.

8. Gen Zers take 32 nations to court

Six young people, ages 11-24, are preparing to appear at the European court of human rights. Driven to act after 66 people were killed from major wildfires and thousands of forest acres damaged, the claimants aim to compel 32 nations to rapidly escalate their emissions reductions. This will be the world’s largest climate legal action to date.

9. Senator Clare Oumou Verbeten

Teen Vogue sits down with Minnesota’s very own Senator Clare Oumou Verbeten. “For me, especially as a Black woman and a queer woman and a young woman and someone who lives blocks from where Philando Castile was murdered, if I get that opportunity to make that change, I'm going to take it. Lives can't wait, right?” Senator Oumou Verbeten is one of the first three Black women ever elected to the Minnesota Senate. Soak up more wisdom from Senator Oumou Verbeten in this interview.

10. Monster Trucks

More people in the US attend monster truck events than Taylor Swift concerts. This awesome New Yorker piece goes deep into the world of monster truck events and drivers – and also the dirt they need to drive on.

And that’s a wrap!

Send us what you’re reading, watching and listening to.

Until next time,

Katie Blanchard (she/her)
Basebuilding Director

Jessica Zimmerman (she/they)
Development Director