Eric Blanc
@ericblanc.bsky.social
author We are the Union: How Worker-to-Worker Organizing is Revitalizing Labor and Winning Big
www.ucpress.edu/books/we-are-the-union/
Red State Revolt,
laborpolitics.substack.com;
EWOC, AAUP-AFT, 🌹
One key thing Zohran can learn from Milwaukee's sewer socialists is that to deliver transformative reforms you need to lean on mass movement pressure
November 26, 2025 at 6:14 PM
One key thing Zohran can learn from Milwaukee's sewer socialists is that to deliver transformative reforms you need to lean on mass movement pressure
Socialists in the US today have a lot more to learn from Victor Berger than Joseph Stalin, Vladimir Lenin, Leon Trotsky, or Chairman Mao
November 24, 2025 at 8:27 PM
Socialists in the US today have a lot more to learn from Victor Berger than Joseph Stalin, Vladimir Lenin, Leon Trotsky, or Chairman Mao
It's good that James Carville is now calling for economic populism — but our side also needs credible, authentic messengers for this stance
Nobody will buy it if Kamala Harris or Gavin Newsom suddenly start talking like Bernie
Nobody will buy it if Kamala Harris or Gavin Newsom suddenly start talking like Bernie
November 24, 2025 at 5:08 PM
It's good that James Carville is now calling for economic populism — but our side also needs credible, authentic messengers for this stance
Nobody will buy it if Kamala Harris or Gavin Newsom suddenly start talking like Bernie
Nobody will buy it if Kamala Harris or Gavin Newsom suddenly start talking like Bernie
Yesterday's Trump meeting tanked Elise Stefanik's case vs Governor Hochul
That's great for NY because Stefanik is horrible, and also because—without a serious threat to her right—Hochul will now have a harder time rejecting Zohran's agenda in the name of electability
That's great for NY because Stefanik is horrible, and also because—without a serious threat to her right—Hochul will now have a harder time rejecting Zohran's agenda in the name of electability
November 22, 2025 at 2:40 PM
Yesterday's Trump meeting tanked Elise Stefanik's case vs Governor Hochul
That's great for NY because Stefanik is horrible, and also because—without a serious threat to her right—Hochul will now have a harder time rejecting Zohran's agenda in the name of electability
That's great for NY because Stefanik is horrible, and also because—without a serious threat to her right—Hochul will now have a harder time rejecting Zohran's agenda in the name of electability
Unlike subsequent historians, the NAACP praised sewer socialist leader Victor Berger
Its condolence letter lauded "the very broad and sympathetic views Mr. Berger always had regarding us as a race, the unbiased attitude of his paper, & his interest in the welfare of all."
Its condolence letter lauded "the very broad and sympathetic views Mr. Berger always had regarding us as a race, the unbiased attitude of his paper, & his interest in the welfare of all."
November 21, 2025 at 5:42 PM
Unlike subsequent historians, the NAACP praised sewer socialist leader Victor Berger
Its condolence letter lauded "the very broad and sympathetic views Mr. Berger always had regarding us as a race, the unbiased attitude of his paper, & his interest in the welfare of all."
Its condolence letter lauded "the very broad and sympathetic views Mr. Berger always had regarding us as a race, the unbiased attitude of his paper, & his interest in the welfare of all."
30,000 students striking in Charlotte against ICE
Need this every time Trump sends in his thugs
Need this every time Trump sends in his thugs
November 21, 2025 at 3:27 AM
30,000 students striking in Charlotte against ICE
Need this every time Trump sends in his thugs
Need this every time Trump sends in his thugs
Discrimination wasn't fully eradicated in Milwaukee
But widespread academic and activist omission of sewer socialist antiracism is misleading
Overall, socialists built an exceptional degree of working-class unity in Milwaukee
But widespread academic and activist omission of sewer socialist antiracism is misleading
Overall, socialists built an exceptional degree of working-class unity in Milwaukee
November 20, 2025 at 6:21 PM
Discrimination wasn't fully eradicated in Milwaukee
But widespread academic and activist omission of sewer socialist antiracism is misleading
Overall, socialists built an exceptional degree of working-class unity in Milwaukee
But widespread academic and activist omission of sewer socialist antiracism is misleading
Overall, socialists built an exceptional degree of working-class unity in Milwaukee
Milwaukee's Garveyite leaders such as Carlos Del Ruy & Reverend Ernest Bland not only joined the Socialist Party, they even campaigned in Black communities for working-class white Socialist candidates vs middle-class Blacks
November 20, 2025 at 6:21 PM
Milwaukee's Garveyite leaders such as Carlos Del Ruy & Reverend Ernest Bland not only joined the Socialist Party, they even campaigned in Black communities for working-class white Socialist candidates vs middle-class Blacks
Victor Berger insisted that because of racial divisions & hatred, "the American proletariat is surely more poorly organized than any working class"
Black workers responded by consistently voting Berger back to Congress — and voting Mayor Hoan back to Milwaukee City Hall
Black workers responded by consistently voting Berger back to Congress — and voting Mayor Hoan back to Milwaukee City Hall
November 20, 2025 at 6:21 PM
Victor Berger insisted that because of racial divisions & hatred, "the American proletariat is surely more poorly organized than any working class"
Black workers responded by consistently voting Berger back to Congress — and voting Mayor Hoan back to Milwaukee City Hall
Black workers responded by consistently voting Berger back to Congress — and voting Mayor Hoan back to Milwaukee City Hall
As a congressman in the 1920s, Victor Berger took the lead in fighting all immigration restrictions, he explicitly included Blacks in his pension legislation, and he proposed bill after bill to ban the KKK & lynching nationwide
November 20, 2025 at 6:21 PM
As a congressman in the 1920s, Victor Berger took the lead in fighting all immigration restrictions, he explicitly included Blacks in his pension legislation, and he proposed bill after bill to ban the KKK & lynching nationwide
It's true Berger wrote a few indefensibly racist things early in his career, when Milwaukee was over 99% white
But once large numbers of Blacks arrived after WWI, Berger made a U-Turn & became one of the most high-profile anti-racist whites in America
But once large numbers of Blacks arrived after WWI, Berger made a U-Turn & became one of the most high-profile anti-racist whites in America
November 20, 2025 at 6:21 PM
It's true Berger wrote a few indefensibly racist things early in his career, when Milwaukee was over 99% white
But once large numbers of Blacks arrived after WWI, Berger made a U-Turn & became one of the most high-profile anti-racist whites in America
But once large numbers of Blacks arrived after WWI, Berger made a U-Turn & became one of the most high-profile anti-racist whites in America
Sewer socialist mayor Dan Hoan joined the NAACP in 1920, banned the KKK, boosted efforts to provide loans to Blacks to buy homes across the city, & received the strong backing of Black voters & Black organizations
November 20, 2025 at 6:21 PM
Sewer socialist mayor Dan Hoan joined the NAACP in 1920, banned the KKK, boosted efforts to provide loans to Blacks to buy homes across the city, & received the strong backing of Black voters & Black organizations
Contrary to this post below, Berger & the sewer socialists fought hard vs racism, the KKK, & lynching once significant numbers of Black workers arrived in Milwaukee after WWI—& Black workers reciprocated by supporting the Socialists🧵
Antiracism was plank #1 in Berger's 1922 congressional campaign!
Antiracism was plank #1 in Berger's 1922 congressional campaign!
November 20, 2025 at 6:21 PM
Contrary to this post below, Berger & the sewer socialists fought hard vs racism, the KKK, & lynching once significant numbers of Black workers arrived in Milwaukee after WWI—& Black workers reciprocated by supporting the Socialists🧵
Antiracism was plank #1 in Berger's 1922 congressional campaign!
Antiracism was plank #1 in Berger's 1922 congressional campaign!
Workers from @sbworkersunited.org put their bodies on the line today, shutting down Starbucks' distribution center in York, PA, the largest in the US
Stand in solidarity with these working-class heroes, DON'T BUY STARBUCKS ANYWHERE UNTIL THEY WIN THEIR STRIKE
Stand in solidarity with these working-class heroes, DON'T BUY STARBUCKS ANYWHERE UNTIL THEY WIN THEIR STRIKE
November 19, 2025 at 11:21 PM
Workers from @sbworkersunited.org put their bodies on the line today, shutting down Starbucks' distribution center in York, PA, the largest in the US
Stand in solidarity with these working-class heroes, DON'T BUY STARBUCKS ANYWHERE UNTIL THEY WIN THEIR STRIKE
Stand in solidarity with these working-class heroes, DON'T BUY STARBUCKS ANYWHERE UNTIL THEY WIN THEIR STRIKE
Ignore all the scaremongering about tax flight
Not only did New York’s rich NOT flee after their 2021 tax increase, but the top 1% of earners move out of state *less* frequently than other income groups
Not only did New York’s rich NOT flee after their 2021 tax increase, but the top 1% of earners move out of state *less* frequently than other income groups
November 19, 2025 at 4:14 PM
Ignore all the scaremongering about tax flight
Not only did New York’s rich NOT flee after their 2021 tax increase, but the top 1% of earners move out of state *less* frequently than other income groups
Not only did New York’s rich NOT flee after their 2021 tax increase, but the top 1% of earners move out of state *less* frequently than other income groups
Will taxing the rich spur them to flee New York?
No.
"There was no notable increase in out-migration among high earners following the State’s 2021 increases to the top Personal Income Tax rates. These higher tax rates raise approximately $3.6 billion annually"—
@nyfiscalpolicy.bsky.social
No.
"There was no notable increase in out-migration among high earners following the State’s 2021 increases to the top Personal Income Tax rates. These higher tax rates raise approximately $3.6 billion annually"—
@nyfiscalpolicy.bsky.social
November 19, 2025 at 4:14 PM
Will taxing the rich spur them to flee New York?
No.
"There was no notable increase in out-migration among high earners following the State’s 2021 increases to the top Personal Income Tax rates. These higher tax rates raise approximately $3.6 billion annually"—
@nyfiscalpolicy.bsky.social
No.
"There was no notable increase in out-migration among high earners following the State’s 2021 increases to the top Personal Income Tax rates. These higher tax rates raise approximately $3.6 billion annually"—
@nyfiscalpolicy.bsky.social
Spent the last few months researching Milwaukee's sewer socialists — here's my new piece on this fascinating history and what New York, Seattle, and beyond can learn from it
November 17, 2025 at 9:25 PM
Spent the last few months researching Milwaukee's sewer socialists — here's my new piece on this fascinating history and what New York, Seattle, and beyond can learn from it
Socialist Milwaukee's exceptional provision of recreation, services and material relief helped bring about the lowest crime rates of any big city in the nation
November 17, 2025 at 9:25 PM
Socialist Milwaukee's exceptional provision of recreation, services and material relief helped bring about the lowest crime rates of any big city in the nation
Milwaukee's socialist Mayor Hoan led a hard fight against the KKK, while Victor Berger fought in Congress against lynching & immigration restrictions
Milwaukee’s Black workers responded by consistently voting Socialist — and the city's Garveyite leaders joined the party
Milwaukee’s Black workers responded by consistently voting Socialist — and the city's Garveyite leaders joined the party
November 17, 2025 at 9:25 PM
Milwaukee's socialist Mayor Hoan led a hard fight against the KKK, while Victor Berger fought in Congress against lynching & immigration restrictions
Milwaukee’s Black workers responded by consistently voting Socialist — and the city's Garveyite leaders joined the party
Milwaukee’s Black workers responded by consistently voting Socialist — and the city's Garveyite leaders joined the party
“During working hours, we make a living and during leisure hours, we make a life,” was the motto of Dorothy Enderis, head of the Socialists' parks & rec department
Milwaukee created over 40 social centers, providing billiards, education, events, sports, games and entertainment
Milwaukee created over 40 social centers, providing billiards, education, events, sports, games and entertainment
November 17, 2025 at 9:25 PM
“During working hours, we make a living and during leisure hours, we make a life,” was the motto of Dorothy Enderis, head of the Socialists' parks & rec department
Milwaukee created over 40 social centers, providing billiards, education, events, sports, games and entertainment
Milwaukee created over 40 social centers, providing billiards, education, events, sports, games and entertainment
Though Milwaukee's socialist City Halls did not advance as far as they wanted in ending private contracts for all utilities, they succeeded in building a city-owned power plant and municipalizing the stone quarry, street lighting, sewage disposal, and water purification
November 17, 2025 at 9:25 PM
Though Milwaukee's socialist City Halls did not advance as far as they wanted in ending private contracts for all utilities, they succeeded in building a city-owned power plant and municipalizing the stone quarry, street lighting, sewage disposal, and water purification
Milwaukee's socialists in 1935 passed the “Boncel Ordinance,” which let the city close the factories of any company that refused to collectively bargain & whose refusal resulted in crowds of over 200 people 2 days in a row. Intransigent employers would be fined or imprisoned 👀👀
November 17, 2025 at 9:25 PM
Milwaukee's socialists in 1935 passed the “Boncel Ordinance,” which let the city close the factories of any company that refused to collectively bargain & whose refusal resulted in crowds of over 200 people 2 days in a row. Intransigent employers would be fined or imprisoned 👀👀
One of the first steps taken by Socialist Emil Seidel, Milwaukee mayor from 1910-12, was to set up a Bureau of Economy and Efficiency—the nation’s first, tasked with streamlining governance
Like Zohran today, he saw the importance of making public services efficient & excellent
Like Zohran today, he saw the importance of making public services efficient & excellent
November 17, 2025 at 9:25 PM
One of the first steps taken by Socialist Emil Seidel, Milwaukee mayor from 1910-12, was to set up a Bureau of Economy and Efficiency—the nation’s first, tasked with streamlining governance
Like Zohran today, he saw the importance of making public services efficient & excellent
Like Zohran today, he saw the importance of making public services efficient & excellent
Milwaukee's Socialist mayors dramatically improved health & safety conditions, both at home & at work
The term "sewer socialist" derisively referred to their zeal for improving public services, but this was not a minor accomplishment in an era when typhoid was still common
The term "sewer socialist" derisively referred to their zeal for improving public services, but this was not a minor accomplishment in an era when typhoid was still common
November 17, 2025 at 9:25 PM
Milwaukee's Socialist mayors dramatically improved health & safety conditions, both at home & at work
The term "sewer socialist" derisively referred to their zeal for improving public services, but this was not a minor accomplishment in an era when typhoid was still common
The term "sewer socialist" derisively referred to their zeal for improving public services, but this was not a minor accomplishment in an era when typhoid was still common
Under Socialist City Halls, Milwaukee's union density grew tenfold from 1929 through 1939:
By the end of the 1930s roughly 60% of its workers were in unions.
In contrast, New York City at its peak only reached a union density of 33%
By the end of the 1930s roughly 60% of its workers were in unions.
In contrast, New York City at its peak only reached a union density of 33%
November 17, 2025 at 9:25 PM
Under Socialist City Halls, Milwaukee's union density grew tenfold from 1929 through 1939:
By the end of the 1930s roughly 60% of its workers were in unions.
In contrast, New York City at its peak only reached a union density of 33%
By the end of the 1930s roughly 60% of its workers were in unions.
In contrast, New York City at its peak only reached a union density of 33%