Share
Share
Happy Labor Day, union siblings.
Today, we celebrate and reflect on the victories of the labor movement and its vital importance to our families, communities, and nation.
Of course, these past several months have reminded us that our fight is never over. In fact, it’s ramping up.
We’ve seen massive cuts that will lead to many losing health care, food assistance, and public-sector jobs. We’ve seen our immigrant brothers and sisters attacked by lawless raids. We’ve seen local governments unable to spend properly, dishing out billions in contracts to private corporations, then trying to balance budgets on our backs. We’ve seen millionaires and billionaires get richer and grow their power and influence, all while refusing to pay their fair share for public services or contribute to workers’ wages.
It’s easy to despair. But as union members, we must always remember where our power lies: solidarity. Solidarity can help us break through the chaos facing our nation and our world. It can lead to realignments in power, where workers and everyday people gain strength over the wealthy few and their mercenaries in politics and government. “When we fight, we win” isn’t just a slogan, it’s a core belief. It means we believe that when we unify in action, we can overcome.
We’ve seen it locally. Earlier this year, our Los Angeles County members walked off the job and went out in force — 10,000 members strong — into the streets of downtown LA, sending a message: We will not be disrespected. It worked. We moved the County from offering no raises to historic bonuses along with cost-of-living adjustments and benefit increases — all in a year when governments and private employers across the nation have refused to budge to help workers. We should be proud of these wins and the gains we’ve made for all our members.
We can replicate these victories nationally. In fact, it’s our responsibility — as citizens, as workers, as union members — to build the solidarity necessary to fight back against the injustices we’re seeing today. The stakes are too high: our success is the difference between people being employed or unemployed, nourished or hungry, sheltered or homeless, embraced or deported, free or detained, alive or dead.
Even though things can seem bleak, I have never felt more resolve and energy to fight back. I feel the power from the 721 family every time I attend a worksite meeting, see fellow members at an event, or talk to colleagues on a call or Zoom. I know we have big challenges ahead, but I am proud to serve as president and to call you all 721 family.
This Labor Day, I hope you’ll commit to joining me as we work to build solidarity locally and nationally that will lead to winning back our nation, our local governments, and our institutions so that we can begin the vital work of rebuilding and revitalizing.
In Solidarity,
David Green,
President and Executive Director
SEIU Local 721