Never in our lifetime has the Labor Movement been under attack

Dear Local Activist,

Never in our lifetime has the Labor Movement been under attack as we are today. A Supreme Court decision, Janus v. AFSCME, is on the way, one that will make all Public sector jobs Right to Work jobs. Congress is looking to pass legislation to make it much harder for workers to organize and much easier for employers to decertify a union. Other pending legislation attacks the rights of public workers to have a voice in the political process and calls for a national “right to work” law. A new, anti-union NLRB promises to go after the rights we’ve won over the years.

These threats against union families and our labor movement are coming fast, and we need to be ready to fight for our very survival, as well as for the future of our labor movement.

Our public sector members will likely be the first hit. Our UPTE-CWA sisters and brothers are working hard to sign up non-members and explain what’s at stake for all working people. The private sector will not be spared and we must be ready for these coming attacks as well.

All of our Locals must embrace and effectively carry out our CWA Strong campaign, our program to make sure our union is ready to face the perfect storm of an emboldened corporate culture, a Congress determined to rollback workers’ rights and protections, anti-union forces pushing for an end to public worker bargaining rights, a billionaire cabinet filled with the worst of Wall Street and unprecedented attacks on civil and human rights.

Many of you will have elections coming up in your local. I urge all activists and leaders who may be considering running for an elected local office to do so in a positive manner. Do not tear down our union or any other candidate. Run a positive campaign on what you want to achieve.

We must remember that our real opponents are those who contract out and offshore our jobs, and try to take away our hard-won benefits. In challenging times like these, there can be a tendency to blame each other instead of those who are responsible for the attacks on working people.

Remember that united we stand, but divided, we let the anti-union forces win. We have many challenges and fights ahead. Let’s unite, not destroy!

In Unity,

Thomas Runnion, Vice President District 9