How to Talk to Your Coworkers About Divestment

The purpose of this guide is to give you ideas on how to talk to your coworkers about divestment and build power in your workplace to take action. This guide is not a script, nor is it a linear step-by-step process. You may have to repeat certain tasks to create strong bonds between you and you coworkers.

Remember, the point of these conversations is to build relationships, trust, and move people to action for divestment. It is not to get into drawn-out debates or prove who is right on what issue.

Step 1: Plan a Conversation and Do It!

Since you likely know your coworker, bring up general points and ask questions to get the other person talking about the issue. Not to mention there is news about Israel and Palestine every single day. Use the news or another reference point as a way to connect it to how our dollars legitimize the occupation.

Example: Did you hear that Trump wants to “take over” Gaza and permanently displace 2 million people? This reminded me how our pension is investing in Israel…

Example: I am starting to plan for retirement which is scary, but I found out our pension system invests in Israeli stocks and bonds! Did you also sign up for NYCERS?

Example: Did you see that “No Other Land” won an Oscar? I couldn’t help but think how our pension funds are invested in that occupation!

The 'AHUY' system

In your conversations, you can try to follow the ‘AHUY’ system

Anger: Tap into anger and create a determination to do something about it. What questions will you ask to learn what issues affect this person and what they care about?

  • Example: I feel like it’s wrong that our retirement dollars are investing in – and making a profit from – the ongoing war against Palestinians!

Hope: After expressing your anger, inspire hope by conveying a clear and worthwhile plan. What are the steps that we need to take together?

  • Example: “NYC divested from controversial causes before: South African apartheid, Russia after they invaded Ukraine… if they can do it then, they can do it now.”

Urgency: Now is the time for us to act!

  • Example: The Mayoral election presents an opportunity to make this an election issue. Every day that we wait is another day our dollars support the atrocities we see in the news.

You: You can make a difference. Your participation matters. Why is this person’s support critical? What concrete actions are you asking them to take?

  • Example: As a public worker you can influence how our money is spent. There is a group of city workers meeting to try and force the city to divest from this unjust system. You should join the next meeting!

Step 2: Call to Action

Call the person to action with an escalating ladder of engagement.

Easier Asks – if the person is curious but not committed

  • Sign the City Workers for Palestine Divestment petition
  • Attend a CW4P Meeting
  • Help CW4P Flyer
  • Join a text thread with coworkers to strategize on how to build support within your local

Harder Asks – once the person is committed

  • Get at least 1 coworker to sign the petition
  • Bring at least 1 new coworker to a CW4P Meeting
  • Bring at least 1 new coworker to a flyering event
  • Work towards bringing a divestment motion to your local

Step 3: Building Support

Build a base within your local; move other coworkers to action; join CW4P actions. Build enough power to defend your wins.

Recently the Professional Staff Congress’ delegate assembly overturned their resolution in support of divestment, claiming “irregularities” in delegate assembly eligibility. This illustrates the need to build a broad, powerful base ready and able to defend your wins.

Some Conversation Tips

Be an active listener. Avoid distractions, don’t interrupt, and keep an open mind.

Practice empathy. Sometimes people need to let off a little steam. Don’t discourage them. Your immediate task is to hear what they have to say, not to judge them.

Try to find common ground. You don’t have to agree with every point, but look for areas of agreement.

Ask questions & don’t feel like you need to sell something. An organizer is not a salesperson. You’re genuinely looking to learn about the other person’s point of view and to create something together.

Be Patient. Some people won’t act after one conversation. It may take a few conversations – in and out of the workplace – to build enough trust to act together.

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