Building a viable socialist movement in the United States relies on building the power of the working class through unions. At this moment, with union membership in the private sector hovering around 6 percent, there is no more important task than organizing the vast masses of unorganized workers into unions. Further, revitalization of our existing unions also requires a massive infusion of new members who bring with them the energy, effervescence, and clarity that comes through struggle to build workplace unity and overcome employer opposition. Thankfully, the present moment holds out this possibility.

In this “movement moment,” workers are rising up in retail, logistics, gaming, news, hospitality, and many other sectors, either self-organizing or joining existing unions. Fanning the flames of worker discontent and providing organizational assistance is a crucial task of the moment. There is no better way to do this than for committed political activists to go to work in key sectors of the economy and promote organizing from the bottom up.

In other words: it’s time to salt.