#21 - The Strike Wave Hits Essex College on ‘The Sex Lives of College Girls’

Maria is joined by three friends who are all previous or current staff of UNITE HERE, the union that the Essex Food Service Workers would undoubtedly be affiliated with in real life—Nicki Morris, Diana Hussein, and Paola Rodelas. The four of us break down the SEX LIVES OF COLLEGE GIRLS (2021-present) strike episode, celebrating Kimberly and Canaan getting involved in their union but also setting the record straight on the series of inaccuracies about strikes. In addition to talking about many current UNITE HERE campaigns that parallel the Essex College workers’ struggle, Maria and Nicki talk about the campaign on which they both became friends and got their start in the labor movement—the Emerson College food service workers organizing drive!

For this episode, we recommend you first watch or have familiarity with THE SEX LIVES OF COLLEGE GIRLS, but especially THE SEX LIVES OF COLLEGE GIRLS Season 2, Episode 7, “The Essex College Food Workers Strike,” streaming on HBO Max.

FOLLOW US ON SOCIAL | instagram, tumblr, tiktok: @leftistteendrama | twitter: @leftyteendrama | website: leftistteendrama.com

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ABOUT US:

MARIA DIPASQUALE (she/her; host/editor) is a Brooklyn-based union communicator and writer who watches too much TV. She splits her free time between devouring teen dramas, creating this podcast, and writing and reading fanfiction. Follow Maria on Twitter @Maria_DiP26, IG @mdzip, and tiktok @marialovesunions. 

NICKI MORRIS (she/her; recurring guest) is a labor communications strategist at a unionized shop! She loves cats, corn, and comrades. Her favorite teen show is Degrassi because she knows we can "make it through" with solidarity! Enjoys watching all good crime shows: The Wire, The Sopranos, Killing Eve, Law & Order, Arrested Development. Follow her on Twitter @NickiMorris321.

DIANA HUSSEIN (she/her; guest) has done Communications with the hospitality workers’ Union for over 8 years. As a kid, Diana collected 1980s teen romance novels at garage sales and flea markets with her mom. This obsession later translated into a love for TV shows of that genre. From the days of My So-Called Life and Daria, to The O.C. and Gossip Girl, she still holds a passion for young adult storylines today — especially when they feature working-class narratives.

PAOLA RODELAS (she/her; guest) has worked in the labor movement for 10 years. Aside from worker-led movement building, she enjoys crafting, astrology, lifting, reality dating shows, and living in New York City with her cat and her partner. 

JEFF MCHALE (he/him; producer) is an extremely online guy who plays games, streams sometimes, and loves talking old TV.

CHARLES S. O’LEARY (they/them; art) is a “writer,” “designer,” and “content strategist” based in Brooklyn, NY. A survivor of the 2010s Tumblr wars, leftist media criticism is all they know. To learn about them professionally, visit charles-oleary.biz. To learn about them personally, visit their Instagram at @c.s.0.l.

Maria and Jeff’s good union cats CLARENCE and VINNY may make an appearance and/or be mentioned. 

intro song: Stomping the Room by Delicate Beats

All opinions shared on this show are that of individuals and do not represent the views of any organization we may be affiliated with.

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SOURCES DISCUSSED IN THE EPISODE:

• Press release: The Other Class of 2023: Over 1,900 Campus Dining Workers At 20 Institutions Organized with UNITE HERE during the 22-23 Academic Year
• Press release: HelloFresh workers seek to unionize after injuries and COVID-19 outbreak
• Info on UNITE HERE Local 11 Southern California strike — https://www.unitehere11.org/2023-contract-fight/.
  • Workers started going out on waves at dozens of properties at a time since Fourth of July — some big properties have settled so there’s momentum!
  • State of contract fight as of Nov. 7
  • Message thanking soccer legend Messi for honoring strike line and moving hotels
  • Hotel Housekeepers Ask Taylor Swift to Postpone Her Shows in LA
  • Teen Vogue: What Is a Scab? Actors and Other Workers Who Cross the Picket Line

• Press release from company naming dining hall after Ms Willie at Catholic University
• UNITE HERE press release from before contract fight victory with Ms. Willie quoted: “It took me over 50 years to make more than $20 an hour. We need to do more than barely survive. We have to live. I don’t know how to protest, but I’ll do it. I’ll do what it takes to get what we need.”
• Roll Call story RE Senate cafeteria win
• WAMU/DCist (better) story RE Senate cafeteria win
• Press release RE DC hotel boycott win

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RESOURCES/PLACES TO PLUG INTO ORGANIZING:

• Want to organize and don’t know where to start? Contact the Emergency Workplace Organizing Committee (EWOC)!
• Fill out this form and the AFL-CIO will connect you to an organizer!
• Connect with DSA Labor
• Labor Notes Strike Guide