The labor movement has to become a movement that inspires people with a broader vision of social justice. There’s something fundamentally wrong with the priorities of this society, and unions have to be courageous enough to say it.
Despite the defeat of pro-worker referenda, bringing workers’ rights and dignity back to the top of the list in the public discourse, in a time saddened by wars and epochal challenges, can be considered a positive.
Becky Pringle, the country’s top Black labor leader, has plunged the National Education Association into the reckoning unfolding in public schools.
The people who braved intimidation, violence and COVID-19 infections, cast their votes for a different future.
Incoming LA teachers' union president Cecily Myart-Cruz was a leader of the city’s landmark 2019 strike. Now she explains why it’s important to get police out of schools and what the labor movement can do about it.
By building community support and staging disruption, the teachers hope to expand the boundaries of what’s politically possible and force the city to bend to its social justice demands
UCORE’s 20 member caucuses come from all over the country and from both teachers unions, the National Education Association and American Federation of Teachers. Locals and caucuses in the network consider themselves social justice unionists, balancing bread-and-butter issues with working to create equity and keep public schools in the hands of communities rather than private enterprises.
Despite constant harassment, retaliation and intimidation by permit holders and dispatch companies over the last five years, and despite obstruction by public agencies, the taxi workers workers stuck together, fought back against injustice, and prevailed. It reminds and teaches all of us that a union is not formed by formal government recognition, it is formed by workers standing together to fight for justice and a brighter future for their families.
"Labor priests' once played a key role in social movement unionism. They are rebuilding their numbers once again to advocate for oppressed workers and build a network of priests engaged in social justice work.
Teacher unions must unite with parents, students and the community to improve our schools—to demand social justice and democracy so that we have strong public schools, healthy communities, and a vibrant democracy.
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