Imperialism, Hustle Culture, and the Cost to Workers

In this episode of the Labor Force Podcast, we look at how workers are being squeezed from every direction—globally, politically, and on the job. We examine why imperialism and sanctions, especially in Venezuela, are working-class issues that weaken unions and devastate everyday life. We then turn to New York, where democratic socialists are trying to build on Zohran Mamdani’s mayoral victory to push policies like taxing the rich and funding universal child care. From there, we hear directly from Starbucks baristas on strike in the longest ULP action in company history, and why the boycott remains in effect until a fair contract is reached. We close by unpacking hustle culture and the changing job market, asking who really benefits when workers are told to adapt, grind harder, and blame themselves. Because self-reliance isn’t power—solidarity is.