Regardless of the country, the world cannot function without the working class! This was Anne Jackson’s opening message, a delegate from the Huron Vally Area Labor Federation, in her inspiring conference at the Federation’s 13^th convention.

A nurse and unionist for nearly 40 years in the United States, she came to offer a glimpse of her union career and struggles that have driven her over the last few decades, specifically within the Michigan Nurses Association (MNA-UMPNC). Even though 1,500 km stretch out between Quebec and Michigan, there are significant similarities in the multiple battles fought by American nurses and Quebec healthcare professionals. This is mainly because of their common objective: the quality of care and safety of workers and patients.

Organize. Mobilize. Win.

One certainty emerged from Anne Jackson’s account: the importance of member involvement and engagement in union activities so that the decisions they make, which guide these same organizations, reflect their needs, interests and demands. Driven by Labor Notes, an influential network from the union and worker movements whose objective is to review union practices, focusing members at the heart of collective action, Anne Jackson shared the gains that Michigan nurses obtained thanks to the mobilization of their base.

A team nicknamed the Trouble Makers

The Federation’s delegates learned more about the strategies used over the last few decades by members of the Michigan Nurses Association (MNA-UMPNC). Mobilization actions and collective engagement came to life within a team nicknamed the Trouble Makers. Their wish? Transform their labour organization from a structure that is far from its base and mainly focused on services into an organization driven by and for its members. “Instead of a union that functions like a vending machine, we wanted a union that works like a community garden, in which each member is actively involved: planting, watering, weeding and sharing the harvest together,” described Anne Jackson.

She also reminded participants that in any union struggle, it is normal that members are not always on the same page on every issue, but the enemy remains the same: the boss! As such, Ms. Jackson confirmed that the Federation has been on the right path over the last several years. “Member engagement is where the power lies,” insisted the union activist.

Mobilizing and engaging members to promote confidence in our collective ability to change things is the path forward.