Leaders of the Democratic Socialists of America (DSA) are admitting the far-left political organization is broke and running significant deficits — throwing the group’s future into question. DSA’s National Political Committee members acknowledged the group had seen a “decline in revenue, membership, and overall excitement” in an announcement to the organization’s Bread & Roses Caucus. Layoffs are being floated to solve the group’s fiscal situation.
$2 Million In The Hole.
Budget documents show the DSA is on track to incur $7 million in expenses for 2024, while the group only anticipates total revenue at $5 million. The organization’s Treasurer believes the group can buy itself another year to bring its books in order if it narrows its 2024 deficit to between $821,000 and $921,000. This still leaves a roughly $1.2 million gap that needs to be closed.
Layoffs Seen As The Only Way Out.
Taking a page from the corporate America playbook, the DSA is suggesting the organization adopts voluntary buy-outs for employees — beginning with non-union director-level staff but moving to unionized staff. Additionally, they say they believe the group should delay hiring a new executive director following the departure of Maria Svart.
Addressing concerns that laying off unionized staff runs counter to the DSA’s pro-union political stances, the leaders argue “the situation is more complicated for ‘movement staff’ — that is, staff for democratic membership organizations like unions, grassroots NGOs, and parties.” They contend that organizations governed by “members” have greater legitimacy in enacting layoffs over a business run by a singular CEO.
The DSA Is “Treading Water.”
The current political moment, the DSA leaders argue, should favor the far-left group. However, renewed labor strikes, the Israel-Palestinian conflict, and President Joe Biden’s cratering support among voters haven’t translated to success for the DSA. Instead, the DSA leaders argue the group has “been treading water” and claim “[w]orking people are inspired to transform the world, but they are doing it elsewhere.”
While left-leaning political populism might be in decline, populism continues to surge on the American political right — with some caveats. Even some unions allied with Democrats are waking up to the change, with the Teamsters Union having recently sat down with former President Trump to discuss a shared vision.
show less
