I am represented by a union already, and my job has had a union for a long time. However, the union is undemocratic, seems to arbitrarily cover workers, rarely meets, and I would describe it as far from being as militant as it should be. Some workers feel left in the dark about the union process and our contact at union doesn’t answer our emails. We've given significant concessions during the last contract fight and union leadership seems complacent. How can I best energize union members to fight for democracy and better demands during our next contract fight? Should we caucus for better leadership?

You should raise your concerns to your union. If they are adequately prepared for your strike, they'll have an answer to your question that satisfies you. Many unions have a Strike Fund that can be used to alleviate some needs for workers. They should have a plan to feed you on the picket line and provide your family dinner a few times a week. A good union will have a toiletries-and-diapers drive. Union members and organizers should also be working with local business owners, especially grocery stores and restaurants, to offer striking workers a discount and to solicit in-kind and monetary donations.

I’m interested in moving forward with organizing my workplace, but I know leadership won’t be friendly to this effort. How do I best protect myself from retaliation or firing while taking the steps to unionize?

Welcome to our new column, Ask a Union Organizer! Each month, union organizer and former abortion clinic staffer Emily Linkins-Ehlers answers your most pressing questions about unionizing your reproductive health, rights, and justice workplace. Anything is fair game — how to unionize, when to unionize, and what to do when shit hits the fan.