As we reach the end of our second month working without a contract and folks around CUNY talk about what we can do to bring management to the table, the question of organizing towards a strike–and with it the threat of the Taylor Law (which makes it illegal for public sector worker in NY to strike–looms large. While some try to use this unjust law to shut down any conversations about going on strike, the story is more complicated. If you’re interested in learning more about the history of this law, instances where it was broken, and the possibilities for overturning it, please take a look at these three articles from Left Voice published between 2017 and 2019. They are as relevant today as they were then.

“The Origins of New York’s No Strike Clause” by Tatiana Cozzarelli (Oct. 24, 2017)

“What is the Taylor Law?” by Tatiana Cozzarelli and Francesca Gomes (Dec. 7, 2017)

“The Taylor Law can be Defeated” by James Dennis Hoff (Sep. 25, 2019)

The strike is the only weapon workers have against the capitalist class. Without it, we are defenseless.

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