The UAW is on Strike: Understanding Strikes with a Joseph Cardijn mindset.

The UAW is on Strike: Understanding Strikes with a Joseph Cardijn mindset.

Belgian Cardinal Joseph Cardijn developed the See, Judge, Act method in the 1920s, focusing on students and workers. Here we are, and it is 2023. Almost a hundred years have passed, and we are addressing many of the same concerns. 

The International UAW is on strike. We will see divisions in the church based on one's understanding of tradition, Catholic Social Teaching, and the questioning of authority as the strike progresses. In addition, we see political divisions and strife over the strike.  

One Hundred years ago, Joseph Cardijn taught us the importance of organizing labor, and workers and incorporating the the encyclical of Pope Leo XIII. Have we learned anything about ourselves in a hundred years?

The method of See-Judge-Act is a three-stage process for organizing. The stages are: 

• Review the situation. (See)

• Form a judgment on the situation. (Judge)

• Decide what can be done to implement the principles. (Act)

The method helped workers to improve their lives and raise their consciousness about their labor. It also helped to evangelize non-practicing Catholics. 

The See-Judge-Act method is a social analysis and action process. The method is based on the belief that people can transform their world by first becoming aware of the problems they face, then judging those problems in light of their values, and finally taking action to address them.

We can understand what the strike is all about by using the method ourselves. 

See: The UAW members saw that their wages were not keeping up with inflation, or at the same rate as management, working longer hours, and not being given enough say in their workplaces. Benefits were taken away, especially from retirees during the pandemic, and not restored.

Judge: The UAW members judged that these conditions were unfair and unjust. They believed they deserved better wages and hours, restoring benefits to all, including retirees and working conditions.

Act: The UAW members took action by going on strike. They collaborated with all UAW workers from the big three to educate each other on the plan and get a consensus on the action.

Cardijn believed that workers had a unique role in the Church and society. He said they were "the leaven in the dough" and could bring about change through their faith and action.

Today, we saw Shawn Fain, the UAW president, using his grandmother's bible referring to Biblical scripture; Fain asked union members: "Are you willing to have faith and move that mountain?”

The principles of Cardijn as we experience labor in our world today are based on three fundamental truths:

• The eternal and temporal destiny of each worker.

• A terrible contradiction exists between the workers' real state and this eternal and temporal destiny.

• There is a need for a “Catholic organization,” especially in the United States, to collaborate with workers and have a view to the conquest of their eternal and temporal destiny.

The Cardijn methods of collaboration promote the spiritual and temporal welfare of workers through a variety of activities, including:

• Education and formation

• Social action

• Community development

• Advocacy

The Cardijn’s worker movements have been active in over 100 countries and have helped millions of workers to improve their lives. Cardijn's work has had a lasting impact on the Church and on the world of labor. 

Here are some specific examples of how Joseph Cardijn helped people in the labor movement that we can do together:

• Establish trade unions for workers.

• Stand in Solidarity with workers for better working conditions and wages for workers.

• Raise awareness of the problems faced by workers.

• Inspired workers and friends to get involved in the political process.

• Build solidarity among people in our parishes.

It is time for Catholics, especially in the United States, to understand the gospel message fully, and engage in bringing the Kingdom of God here and now.

Read Sermon on the Mount. Reflect on the Sermon on the Mount. Take action based on the Sermon on the Mount.

Photo: File photo of Pope Francis with a group of workers in St. Peter's Square on 2 April 2014, courtesy of Vatican News