The Future of Work Is Worker-Owned: Understanding Syndicalism

Feeling unfulfilled by your job? Dr. Adam North explains how syndicalism - a system which seeks to empower workers - could help.

Jun 17, 2025

If you’ve ever felt powerless at your job—where decisions are made by distant or incompetent managers, and your input feels ignored—you’re not alone. These frustrations echo the grievances workers have voiced since the beginning of organised labour.

I’ve previously talked about David Graeber and his analysis of “bullshit jobs”, and now I will present a change that may improve our relationship with work.

Many people assume that this is simply “the way things are”, and that any meaningful change must be some form of authoritarian communism. But in the 19th and 20th centuries, syndicalists proposed a radical alternative—one that addresses our alienation from work without relying on state centralisation.

Syndicalism, a form of economic and political organisation rooted in labour unions and direct worker control of industry, presents a compelling alternative to both state socialism and capitalism. Originating in late-19th-century France, Spain, and Italy, syndicalism emphasises direct action, decentralised power, and workplace democracy. While often overlooked today, it offers clear benefits in our era of rising inequality and precarious work.

1. Empowerment Through Worker Control

At the heart of syndicalism is the belief that workers should control the means of production. This is not merely about better wages or working conditions but about restructuring society so that those who do the work also make the decisions regarding how resources are allocated.

In a syndicalist system, workplaces are managed collectively by workers, often through democratic assemblies or councils. Such structures would seek to foster a sense of ownership, responsibility, and dignity—countering the alienation commonly experienced under the hierarchies that emerge in most modern workplaces.

2. Economic Democracy and Equity

Unlike traditional companies where profits flow to shareholders rather than workers, syndicalism ensures that the value created by labour stays with those who produce it. Economic democracy under syndicalism reduces inequality and limits the concentration of wealth and power. Because decisions are made by those directly affected by them, syndicalism aligns economic activity with human needs rather than profit motives alone.

3. Resilience Through Decentralisation

Syndicalism advocates for decentralised networks of federated worker organisations. This decentralisation can make economic systems more resilient and adaptive. Localised decision-making enables communities to respond more effectively to environmental and social changes, reducing dependence on distant corporate or state bureaucracies. This model also resists authoritarian tendencies by distributing power broadly rather than centralising it.

Moreover, syndicalism envisions aligning state and business interests through worker control. When businesses are run by workers, decisions are made with their interests—and those of their communities—in mind, rather than catering solely to shareholders. Whereas 21^st century British corporations often make decisions that are in the interests of the managerial class and shareholders, not the workers or local communities.

4. Promotion of Solidarity and Mutual Aid

Syndicalism is built on the principle of solidarity—an injury to one is an injury to all. Rather than competition among workers, syndicalism fosters a culture of mutual support. Unions under syndicalism are not simply bargaining units but active participants in broader social transformation. This spirit of cooperation extends beyond the workplace into education, healthcare, and community life, laying the foundation for a more cohesive and compassionate society.

5. Direct Action as a Tool for Change

One of syndicalism's most distinctive features is its emphasis on direct action—strikes, boycotts, and occupations—as a means of effecting change. Rather than relying on politicians or parties, syndicalists believe in the power of collective action. This can lead to faster, more meaningful results and keeps decision-making power in the hands of ordinary people. Historically, syndicalist movements have played key roles in securing labour rights and social protections that are often taken for granted today.

If you feel disaffected by politics and its ability to enact change for you, then syndicalism would offer a means of creating change that is in your control.

6. A Vision Far Beyond Reform

Syndicalism offers a transformative vision of society. It does not seek to merely reform capitalism but to replace it with a system based on justice, cooperation, and democratic control. In doing so, it challenges us to rethink the nature of work, ownership, and freedom. In a time when many are questioning the sustainability and fairness of our current economic order, syndicalism provides both a critique and a constructive alternative.

Conclusion

While syndicalism will seem radical to some, its core principles—democracy, solidarity, and worker empowerment—are increasingly relevant in an age of economic upheaval and political disillusionment. As interest in alternative economic models grows, syndicalism deserves renewed consideration as a viable and humane way to organise society around the needs and rights of working people.

It is time to imagine a world where we could have a healthier, happier, more fulfilling relationship with work.