crossposted from
unbossed
Today there will be speeches and mentions of Labor Day. NPR had a piece by Clancy Sigal remembering his union organizer mother. link
This afternoon, I'm heading off to a Labor Day picnic for union members and their allies.
But, friends, we live in a country whose leaders declare that unions are anti-American. You don't buy that? Well, check this out. link
There has been a real war on unions by this administration. There was the attack on unions when the Department of Homeland Security was organized. Remember the demand that they not be allowed to unionize? And Congress wrote it into law.
Why?
Because to them, unionization is not an American value and undermines our homeland security? But I ask: Is our security more endangered by poverty, lack of access to democratic institutions, disempowerment?
Last Labor Day I wrote a long piece about the state of labor and the vicious and almost unnoticed attack on public sector workers, the workers with the highest rate of unionization in the US.
Nothing has changed there. Nothing. The attack goes on.
Friends, it is two months - 60 days - till the showdown. So enjoy the picnic, the parades . . . and then gird your loins for battle.
So, let me leave you with this question from our rich tradition of labor activism - and please don't skip the last chorus:
Which Side Are You On?
by Florence Reese
Come all of you good workers
Good news to you I'll tell
Of how that good old union
Has come in here to dwell
(Chorus)
Which side are you on?
Which side are you on?
Which side are you on?
Which side are you on?
My daddy was a miner
And I'm a miner's son
And I'll stick with the union
Till every battle's won
They say in Harlan County
There are no neutrals there
You'll either be a union man
Or a thug for J.H. Blair
Oh, workers can you stand it?
Oh, tell me how you can
Will you be a lousy scab
Or will you be a man?
Don't scab for the bosses
Don't listen to their lies
Us poor folks haven't got a chance
Unless we organize