Building Power from Below

The book explores the remarkable labor movement in Chile, showcasing how workers successfully organized against Walmart. Building Power from Below provides valuable insights for labor activists.

In Building Power from Below, the narrative unfolds around the complex relationship between workers and Walmart, often marked by tension and struggle. The book highlights a compelling counternarrative that serves as essential reading for activists, union members, and scholars alike. The story begins in 2008 when Walmart acquired a controlling interest in a major supermarket chain in Santiago, Chile. This acquisition required Walmart to recognize existing unions, setting the stage for a remarkable shift in labor dynamics.

Chilean retail and warehouse workers have achieved what many thought impossible for labor in the United States: they have successfully organized robust unions and negotiated groundbreaking contracts with Walmart. The author, Carolina Bank Muñoz, attributes this success to the workers’ unwavering commitment to union democracy and their strategic organizational capacity. Over the years, these workers have built grassroots organizations that prioritize democratic principles within their unions, allowing them to fight for respect and dignity in the workplace.

While the Chilean model may not be directly replicable in other countries, Building Power from Below offers valuable insights into the tactics and strategies employed by Chilean workers. The book emphasizes the importance of both associational and structural power, showcasing how these dynamics can lead to significant economic gains and improved working conditions, despite the inherent challenges of organizing within a global corporation like Walmart.