What is social movement unionism and how might this approach be used to increase labor's bargaining power and protection for workers.

Social movement unionism rejects the narrow business unionism focus on workplace-based collective bargaining and instead sees labor unions as representatives of the entire working class and as part of a broader social movement of community, social, and political activist groups. Gains for workers would be won through social and political channels, rather than through workplace collective bargaining. Advocates of a stronger U.S. labor movement see greater social activism as one route to more power in society and at the bargaining table. As with solidarity unionism, grassroots participation and mobilization of the workforce are seen as keys to the success of social movement unionism.