#2 - Brooke Davis, Labor Organizer: That Time Our Early Aughts Fave Organized Her Workplace on ‘One Tree Hill’

Leftist Teen Drama

Brooke Davis once organized her workplace for better working conditions. Yes, that Brooke Davis, from ONE TREE HILL (2003-2012), the show that ran for so many seasons, it started on the WB and ended on the CW. Join Maria and her fellow unionists/friends Nicki and Emma as we take you through one of Maria’s favorite teen drama plotlines of all time—and talk about how to organize a union in your own workplace. Plus: Maria’s thesis that Brooke’s organizing experience was foundational to her character, as she later gives up her company and personal fortune to ensure she can repay all her investors.

For this episode, we recommend you have familiarity with ONE TREE HILL and/or watch ONE TREE HILL Season 2, Episode 12: Between Order and Randomness, streaming on Hulu

CW: sexual assault and abuse by the One Tree Hill showrunner is briefly discussed at the top of the episode

FOLLOW US ON SOCIAL | instagram, tumblr, tiktok: @leftistteendrama | twitter: @leftyteendrama | website: leftistteendrama.com

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ABOUT US:

MARIA DIPASQUALE (she/her; host/editor) is a Brooklyn-based union communicator and writer who watches too much TV. Follow Maria on Twitter @Maria_DiP26, IG @mdzip, and tiktok @marialovesunions. In addition to Leftist Teen Drama, Maria hosts Bodysuits For Bughead: A Riverdale Podcast | tumblr: @bodysuitsforbughead twitter: @B4B_Podcast instagram: @bodysuits4bughead

NICKI MORRIS (she/her; recurring guest) is a union staffer who loves cats, corn, and comrades. Her favorite teen show is Degrassi because she knows we can "make it through" with solidarity! Enjoys watching criminal syndicate shows in all forms: The Wire, Claws, Good Girls, Killing Eve. Follow her on Twitter @NickiMorris321.

EMMA ROSE (she/her; recurring guest) watches a lot—and she means a lot—of reality tv, with the occasional teen drama or murder mystery or sci-fi thriller thrown in for good measure. When she's not watching said television, you can find her listening to podcasts and diving into internet content about said television. Sometimes she posts on instagram @emmaaaaaroseeeee (5 a's and 5 e's)

MADDY WIRYO (they/them; art) is an artist who works all around New England. You can find more of their work at: maddyworldfr.wordpress.com

JEFF MCHALE (he/him; producer) is an extremely online guy who plays games, streams sometimes, and loves talking old TV.

Maria and Jeff’s good union cats CLARENCE and VINNY may make an appearance and/or be mentioned.

intro song: Stomping the Room by Delicate Beats

All opinions shared on this show are that of individuals and do not represent the views of any organization we may be affiliated with.

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SOURCES DISCUSSED IN THE EPISODE:

Variety, ‘One Tree Hill’ Cast, Crew Detail Assault, Harassment Claims Against Mark Schwahn (EXCLUSIVE) by Daniel Holloway

CNBC, How the coronavirus pandemic may be causing support of labor unions to rise by Abigail Johnson Hess

Employer Relations, The Rise of Millennials and their Potential Support for Labor Unions by Ashley Laken, Esq.

Axios, Record number of journalists unionize during COVID pandemic by Sara Fischer

Labor Notes’ Secrets of a Successful Organizer guide

Detroit Metro-Times, Thinking of unionizing your workplace? Here are tips from UNITE HERE’s Nia Winston. by Lee DeVito

PRO Act information cited from https://passtheproact.org! See also the Working People podcast episode on the PRO Act.

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SUGGESTED FURTHER READING/LISTENING:

• Drama Queens rewatch podcast with the original cast of One Tree Hill—Hilarie Burton, Bethany Joy Lenz, and Sophia Bush
• Working People podcast
• Belabored podcast
• Anything in the Labor Notes catalogue
• Resource form to connect to an organizer: https://aflcio.org/formaunion/contact