Thanks for posting these articles. This is really interesting.
That article from northstar.info makes a pretty good case for their position I think. Strikes and such are needed but to get political power, people also need to get control of politics.
A real coalition of the progressive left would be a great idea. In my view to be most effective it should include the most progressive elements from the Democratic Party and any of the smaller parties who would choose to participate.
Participating in Democratic Party primaries is also another way to exert political influence and a coalition could also do that.