This article by Ingo Schmidt lays out some of the debates within labour movements, in the past and today, about economic alternatives. It raises the question of how North American labour movements can begin a process of struggle to form alternative solutions after years of setbacks at the very hands of neoliberalism and financial markets. It follows with two contributions towards such a process. One is an open letter from labour scholars that suggests to union leaders and rank-and-file activists that there is a need to prepare for a struggle against lay-offs, wage concessions and cuts in pensions and public services that will be promoted once the crisis on the financial markets impacts the rest of the economy. The second is a resolution promoting such action and the educational activities necessary for its success that was passed by the Vancouver and District Labour Council at its October 2008 meeting.