Democrats Must Listen to Workers

Donald Trump is in free fall in the polls. But this public discontent has not translated into working-class confidence in Democrats to support them.

When it comes to either party’s concerns about grocery bills, rent checks, pay stubs, retirement, their children’s education – the kinds of things that keep people up at night – working-class voters always take a “lesser of two evils” approach.

Having spent the last 14 years reporting on, visiting or advocating for working-class communities in every region, this status quo does not surprise me. As you travel the country, you will hear a consistent message: “They [politicians] don’t worry about me” or “They only come during elections”.

Above all, earning people’s trust involves sitting down with them and listen— to their challenges, their ambitions, their ideas… their stories. It takes a certain amount of privacy to achieve this.

This is why, following the 2024 election, when a flood of experts and autopsies have called for How can Democrats reconnect with the working class?— a coalition of state and national organizations (including my current employer, EPIC) — launched the #Listen2Workers campaign.

The campaign is based on a simple principle: bring together local, state and federal workers and elected officials and have authentic conversations. Ask workers about their lives, what is most urgent, their ideas for change. Listenthen talk (not talk) about what the legislator hears – about policy ideas, commitments, outstanding issues, how they can work together.

Then a coalition of organizations can help the legislator show their work— through social media-friendly clips — so audiences can see the commitment to workers in action, rather than just political leaders. talk on their commitment. If the party wants to undermine the working class narrative that it is not engaged, it must show proof. It goes back to the old adage, Show, don’t tell…if you want it to stay.

Recently, Georgia House Minority Leader Carolyn Hugley hosted a #Listen2Workers forum in Macon, moderated by Stacey Abrams.

A group of about 25 racially diverse workers, union and, importantly, non-union, from urban and rural communities, spoke about wages that no longer cover rent, even for full-time workers. A retired, non-union law enforcement officer said his salary after 26 years was the same as the entry-level salary of New York City police officers, even though they were both risking their lives. A union leader spoke about the absurdity of a minimum wage of $7.25 an hour and the fact that parents have to work multiple jobs and therefore do not have the time they want and need for their children.