History shows us that when authoritarianism rears its head, whether it takes root depends on the labor movement’s response. That’s why unions must be at the center of the burgeoning antiauthoritarian movement that’s on display in efforts to build a broader pro-democracy coalition under banners like “No Kings” and “Workers Over Billionaires.”

But we have to be clear-eyed: our labor movement isn’t in fighting shape. Most of our unions do not have recent muscle memory of striking or taking confrontational collective action. We must build up to strike readiness through greater organizing and collaboration by large locals and labor councils, and through escalating direct actions involving members and nonmembers alike.

As Donald Trump’s authoritarianism escalates, we have to broaden our tent to include labor-community coalitions. We have to draw on a range of tactics, like consumer boycotts, sick-outs, and slowdowns. We need to reenergize union structures at the national, state, and local levels and line up political and contract demands.