Organized labor has LONG been one of the key forces in the fight for health care and social justice in the U.S. We would not have ANY of the gains we have made over the past half century in the fight for health care for all without the leadership and support of our allies in the trade union movement. In addition, successful trade unionism has guaranteed the right to health care for millions of working people and their families through collective bargaining, and has set the broad national standard for employer-based health benefits for workers, regardless of whether one belongs to a union or not.
Like everything else in our new political era, workers’ fundamental rights are under attack, especially the right to organize unions altogether. We must join together and fight back!
A case coming before the U.S. Supreme Court, Janus v. AFSCME Council 31, threatens that right for public sector workers, and by extension, to those in the private sector. Oral arguments on the case will be heard by the Court on Mon., Feb. 26. While the Court makes its rulings based on its interpretation of law and precedence, it also does pay some attention to public sentiment about the fundamental justice principles at stake in any particular case.
On Sat., Feb. 24, trade union members and their allies and supporters will be gathering in public spaces across the country for a national “Working People’s Day of Action ”. Together, we will give loud voice to our shared belief in workers’ basic right to organize and collectively bargain.
Here in NYC, our sisters and brothers at the NYC Central Labor Council are organizing a major rally to take place in Foley Square in lower Manhattan, appropriately in front of the state and federal court houses, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.
We invite you to join us in a special “Health Care Activists Solidarity Contingent”! District Council 1707 AFSCME, where our office is located, has invited us to be part of their group. Feel free to bring any appropriate signs and banners, and please invite your friends, family, and colleagues to come along. When you get there, just look for the signs and banners for DC 1707 and find us amidst that crowd – look for the Metro banner and signs with our logo.
See you there. Solidarity forever!