--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: The question is always 'What is the role…" description: "\"The question is always 'What is the role of a labor movement?' How much is about collective bargaining, how much is about social change for all workers..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/7e7/andy-stern-21412_bargaining_the-question-is-always-what-is-the-role_1970167.png" --- # The question is always 'What is the role of a labor… ![“The question is always 'What is the role of a labor movement?' How much is about collective bargaining, how much is about social change for all workers?” quote by Andy Stern](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/7e7/andy-stern-21412_bargaining_the-question-is-always-what-is-the-role_1970167.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/7e7/andy-stern-21412_bargaining_the-question-is-always-what-is-the-role_1970167.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/7e7/andy-stern-21412_bargaining_the-question-is-always-what-is-the-role_1970167.png) > “The question is always 'What is the role of a labor movement?' How much is about collective bargaining, how much is about social change for all workers?” [Andy Stern](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/andy-stern/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. The purpose of labor movements blends bargaining for wages with broader social reforms for all workers. **In simple terms:** Labor movements fight for pay and social change. Key Takeaway Balance negotiation with activism. Themes labor rights collective bargaining social justice activism equity Mood determined hopeful strategic Type political motivational analytical When to use this quote - union negotiations - political lobbying - public campaigns Key Concepts economic power solidarity policy change Questions to Reflect On - How can unions prioritize both wages and wider reforms? - What strategies unite workers across sectors? A Different Perspective Focusing only on wages may ignore systemic issues. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Change](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/change/) [Collective bargaining](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/collective-bargaining/) [Labor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/labor/) [Labor movement](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/labor-movement/) [Movement](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/movement/) [Social](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/social/) [Social change](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/social-change/) [Workers](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/workers/) ## Related quotes > [The organized labor movement as it is constituted today is as much a concomitant of a capitalist economy as is capital. Organized labor is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/saul-alinsky/the-organized-labor-movement-as-it-is-constituted-today-is-as-much-a/) [Saul Alinsky](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/saul-alinsky/) > [Collective bargaining has always been the bedrock of the American labor movement. I hope that you will continue to anchor your movement to this…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-f-kennedy/collective-bargaining-has-always-been-the-bedrock-of-the-american/) [John F. Kennedy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-f-kennedy/) > [The labor movement was the principal force that transformed misery and despair into hope and progress.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/martin-luther-king-jr/the-labor-movement-was-the-principal-force-that-transformed-misery/) [Martin Luther King, Jr](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/martin-luther-king-jr/) > [The labor movement was the principal force that transformed misery and despair into hope and progress. Out of its bold struggles, economic and social…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/martin-luther-king-jr/the-labor-movement-was-the-principal-force-that-transformed-misery-2/) [Martin Luther King, Jr](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/martin-luther-king-jr/) > [The systematic dismantling of reproductive rights, much like the takedown of collective bargaining, has been taking place in full view.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/garry-trudeau/the-systematic-dismantling-of-reproductive-rights-much-like-the/) [Garry Trudeau](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/garry-trudeau/) > [We need a system where all of our teams have the opportunity to compete and to make a few dollars. That's not a bad…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-stern/we-need-a-system-where-all-of-our-teams-have-the-opportunity-to/) [David Stern](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-stern/) > [Unions are for 'collective bargaining,' not individual bargaining. It follows that most of the achievements of a union, even if they were more impressive…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mancur-olson/unions-are-for-collective-bargaining-not-individual-bargaining-it/) [Mancur Olson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mancur-olson/) > [The market's been soft, .. and I think that's mostly a result of the new provisions in the collective bargaining agreement.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/andrew-zimbalist/the-market-s-been-soft-and-i-think-that-s-mostly-a-result-of-the-new/) [Andrew Zimbalist](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/andrew-zimbalist/) > [The only thing workers have to bargain with is their skill or their labor. Denied the right to withhold it as a last resort,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paul-clark/the-only-thing-workers-have-to-bargain-with-is-their-skill-or-their/) Paul Clark > [Choosing to work where there is a union and getting the related benefits of higher wages and collective bargaining, but not paying a fair…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cynthia-dill/choosing-to-work-where-there-is-a-union-and-getting-the-related/) [Cynthia Dill](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cynthia-dill/) > [So let me be clear, Collective bargaining isn't a right, it is an expensive entitlement. Once and for all, we are giving the taxpayers…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/scott-walker/so-let-me-be-clear-collective-bargaining-isn-t-a-right-it-is-an/) [Scott Walker](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/scott-walker/) > [I was never presented with the details as far as the collective bargaining system is Greece. I am in favor of a normal system…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jean-claude-juncker/i-was-never-presented-with-the-details-as-far-as-the-collective/) [Jean-Claude Juncker](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jean-claude-juncker/) > [We need to support new organizing strategies for employees who too often have never had the benefit of collective bargaining, and we have to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hillary-clinton/we-need-to-support-new-organizing-strategies-for-employees-who-too/) [Hillary Clinton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hillary-clinton/) > [In our glorious fight for civil rights, we must guard against being fooled by false slogans, such as 'right-to-work.' It provides no 'rights' and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/martin-luther-king-jr/in-our-glorious-fight-for-civil-rights-we-must-guard-against-being/) [Martin Luther King, Jr](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/martin-luther-king-jr/) > [As governor I would have made sure that I bargained fairly but firmly, been able to get the changes that were needed to balance…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mary-burke/as-governor-i-would-have-made-sure-that-i-bargained-fairly-but-firmly/) [Mary Burke](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mary-burke/) ## More by Andy Stern > [The AFL-CIO is a structure that divides workers' strength by allowing each union to organize in any industry, then bargain on its own, even…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/andy-stern/the-afl-cio-is-a-structure-that-divides-workers-strength-by-allowing/) [Andy Stern](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/andy-stern/) > [I would say the issue for the labor movement in the United States is not structural... there is no correlation between the success of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/andy-stern/i-would-say-the-issue-for-the-labor-movement-in-the-united-states-is/) [Andy Stern](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/andy-stern/) > [I was too much of a victim of the model I created. I tried Change to Win and helping Obama, and then I just…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/andy-stern/i-was-too-much-of-a-victim-of-the-model-i-created-i-tried-change-to/) [Andy Stern](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/andy-stern/) > [In 1972, I signed a union card for SEIU. And for the last 38 years, 14 as president, it's been my life. I've seen…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/andy-stern/in-1972-i-signed-a-union-card-for-seiu-and-for-the-last-38-years-14/) [Andy Stern](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/andy-stern/) > [And I think we understand we cannot make social change for all workers until we have enough strength, membership strength, and at the same…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/andy-stern/and-i-think-we-understand-we-cannot-make-social-change-for-all/) [Andy Stern](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/andy-stern/) > [Republicans have been very successful. There are three things Americans don't like: big unions, big government and big corporations. So Republicans go after big…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/andy-stern/republicans-have-been-very-successful-there-are-three-things/) [Andy Stern](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/andy-stern/) > [The union is much more than me, and when you think the union is you and it's not about who you represent, I think…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/andy-stern/the-union-is-much-more-than-me-and-when-you-think-the-union-is-you/) [Andy Stern](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/andy-stern/) > [Unions have been the best anti-poverty program that actually worked and did not cost the government a dime. But as unions grow smaller- not…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/andy-stern/unions-have-been-the-best-anti-poverty-program-that-actually-worked/) [Andy Stern](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/andy-stern/) > [Today I send this message to every emerging global corporation: "justice; family, community, and union" are the same in every language and, wherever you…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/andy-stern/today-i-send-this-message-to-every-emerging-global-corporation/) [Andy Stern](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/andy-stern/) > [When I left SEIU, we had started this quality public service agenda to say to our members what I think the United Auto Workers…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/andy-stern/when-i-left-seiu-we-had-started-this-quality-public-service-agenda-to/) [Andy Stern](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/andy-stern/) > [American workers won't be able to compete fairly for jobs until companies have to pay higher wages in countries like China and India.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/andy-stern/american-workers-won-t-be-able-to-compete-fairly-for-jobs-until/) [Andy Stern](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/andy-stern/) > [Manufacturing and other unskilled professions that were union jobs, that allowed people to live a middle-class life, are disappearing both because unions are disappearing…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/andy-stern/manufacturing-and-other-unskilled-professions-that-were-union-jobs/) [Andy Stern](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/andy-stern/) > [Workers of the world unite. It's not just a slogan anymore.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/andy-stern/workers-of-the-world-unite-it-s-not-just-a-slogan-anymore/) [Andy Stern](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/andy-stern/) > [It has no enforceable standards to stop a union from conspiring with employers to keep another stronger union out or from negotiating contracts with…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/andy-stern/it-has-no-enforceable-standards-to-stop-a-union-from-conspiring-with/) [Andy Stern](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/andy-stern/) > [America is living through the third economic revolution and our country doesn't really have a plan on how to deal with it, and when…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/andy-stern/america-is-living-through-the-third-economic-revolution-and-our/) [Andy Stern](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/andy-stern/) [Explore all 29 Andy Stern quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/andy-stern/) ## More Bargaining quotes > [It is not a process of bargaining or give-and-take. The peace process is not about giving concessions. We will not allow any step which…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/recep-tayyip-erdogan/it-is-not-a-process-of-bargaining-or-give-and-take-the-peace-process/) [Recep Tayyip Erdogan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/recep-tayyip-erdogan/) > [When by habit a man cometh to have a bargaining soul, its wings are cut, so that it can never soar. It bindeth reason…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sir-george-savile-8th-baronet/when-by-habit-a-man-cometh-to-have-a-bargaining-soul-its-wings-are/) [Sir George Savile, 8th Baronet](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sir-george-savile-8th-baronet/) > [Many people do not realize that where unions have bargaining rights employers cannot raise wages or improve benefit plans any more than they can…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charles-e-wilson/many-people-do-not-realize-that-where-unions-have-bargaining-rights/) [Charles E. Wilson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charles-e-wilson/) > [I think it is disgraceful. I think it is completely disgusting that you've got a candidate for prime minster who seems to think that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nicola-sturgeon/i-think-it-is-disgraceful-i-think-it-is-completely-disgusting-that/) [Nicola Sturgeon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nicola-sturgeon/) > [If you have free universal health care and free education supported by public school taxes, then you have more bargaining power with your bosses,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-lind/if-you-have-free-universal-health-care-and-free-education-supported/) [Michael Lind](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-lind/) > [As developing countries became bigger traders, it was clear that the old way of doing business wouldn't fly. To get them back to the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/daniel-altman/as-developing-countries-became-bigger-traders-it-was-clear-that-the/) [Daniel Altman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/daniel-altman/) > [As governor I would have made sure that I bargained fairly but firmly, been able to get the changes that were needed to balance…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mary-burke/as-governor-i-would-have-made-sure-that-i-bargained-fairly-but-firmly/) [Mary Burke](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mary-burke/) > [“Employment bargains your life and time for a piece of currency”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sunday-adelaja/employment-bargains-your-life-and-time-for-a-piece-of-currency/) [Sunday Adelaja](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sunday-adelaja/) > [We need a system where all of our teams have the opportunity to compete and to make a few dollars. That's not a bad…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-stern/we-need-a-system-where-all-of-our-teams-have-the-opportunity-to/) [David Stern](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-stern/) > [If you do not get what you want, it is a sure sign that you did not seriously want it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rudyard-kipling/if-you-do-not-get-what-you-want-it-is-a-sure-sign-that-you-did-not/) [Rudyard Kipling](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rudyard-kipling/) > [Unions are for 'collective bargaining,' not individual bargaining. It follows that most of the achievements of a union, even if they were more impressive…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mancur-olson/unions-are-for-collective-bargaining-not-individual-bargaining-it/) [Mancur Olson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mancur-olson/) > [Bargaining makes you come up with the best ideas.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/trey-parker/bargaining-makes-you-come-up-with-the-best-ideas/) [Trey Parker](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/trey-parker/) > [That which man dreams of and to Which he aspires, unless fulfilled in his own lifetime, can produce no actual satisfaction to him. It…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/haile-selassie/that-which-man-dreams-of-and-to-which-he-aspires-unless-fulfilled-in/) [Haile Selassie](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/haile-selassie/) > [ We didn't see \[the NBA lockout\] as a victory at all. It was far from what we set it out to accomplish in bargaining,… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/adam-silver/we-didn-t-see-the-nba-lockout-as-a-victory-at-all-it-was-far-from/) Adam Silver > [A man of faith does not bargain or stipulate with God.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mahatma-gandhi/a-man-of-faith-does-not-bargain-or-stipulate-with-god/) [Mahatma Gandhi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mahatma-gandhi/) Browse all 154 Bargaining quotes ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "The question is always 'What is the role of a labor movement?' How much is about collective bargaining, how much is about social change for all workers?", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Andy Stern" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/andy-stern/the-question-is-always-what-is-the-role-of-a-labor-movement-how-much/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Bargaining" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/andy-stern/the-question-is-always-what-is-the-role-of-a-labor-movement-how-much/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/7e7/andy-stern-21412_bargaining_the-question-is-always-what-is-the-role_1970167.png", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/7e7/andy-stern-21412_bargaining_the-question-is-always-what-is-the-role_1970167.png", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/7e7/andy-stern-21412_bargaining_the-question-is-always-what-is-the-role_1970167.png", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“The question is always 'What is the role of a labor movement?' How much is about collective bargaining, how…” — Andy Stern", "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "creator": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } } }, { "@type": "BreadcrumbList", "itemListElement": [ { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 1, "name": "Home", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 2, "name": "Quotes", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 3, "name": "Andy Stern", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/andy-stern/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "The question is always 'What is...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/andy-stern/the-question-is-always-what-is-the-role-of-a-labor-movement-how-much/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/andy-stern/the-question-is-always-what-is-the-role-of-a-labor-movement-how-much/#breadcrumb" }, { "@type": "WebSite", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "publisher": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } }, { "@type": "Organization", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "logo": { "@type": "ImageObject", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wp-content/themes/sq/assets/icons/icon-512.png", "width": 512, "height": 512 } } ] } ```