Looking to the Future, Organized Labor Is Banking on a New Civil Rights Movement

[Omaha Steve]

Whole Foods Market employees and union activists protest outside a Whole Foods Market store on July 31, 2013 in Chicago.(Scott Olson/Getty Images)

http://www.nationaljournal.com/economy/looking-to-the-future-organized-labor-is-banking-on-a-new-civil-rights-movement-20150415

BY ERIC GARCIA

April 15, 2015 As fast-food workers and organized labor plan mass protests on Wednesday for a $15 minimum wage and a union, they are also relaying the message that workers' rights are civil rights. As racial minorities continue to make up more and more of the lower-wage employment sectors, organized labor is betting that working to advance racial equality will be at central to its survival.

Numerous labor unions have taken on issues directly related to racial justice. The AFL-CIO has been a vocal advocate of "ban-the-box" initiatives, which would remove the requirement for employers to ask prospective employees about previous convictions. Advocates say the change could help African Americans, who face higher rates of incarceration than whites and have a national unemployment rate that is frequently double that of white Americans, more easily find jobs.

Labor movements also spoke out in recent racial flash points. Show Me 15, the St. Louis-area branch of Fight For 15, the organization pushing for a $15 minimum wage and a union for fast-food workers, protested in front of the Police Department in Ferguson, Mo., the day after the shooting of Michael Brown.

The push for racial justice by unions reflects the changing face of organized labor and service work in general. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, black workers are more likely to be in a union than white, Asian, and Hispanic workers.

FULL story at link.

[KittyWampus]

1. That's great. Although Unions needed to start strategizing decades ago.

As a strong union supporter, I really think the entire union system needs to look abroad and start advocating far more drastic changes.

Europe had the backbone of the guild system for labor to build up from.

The USA needs to incorporate some of that type of structure here.

[RoccoR5955]

6. Perhaps there should be a Union political party.

Like they have in many countries in Europe.

I think that we had one here in the US. I remember when I was growing up seeing "Socialist Labor," and "Socialist Worker" parties. Is it time to bring them back? I sure think so!

[marym625]

2. K&R

Last week, on my way to the Fight 4 $15 event, we stopped at a whole foods in Chicago. I asked the clerk about unionizing. She was rather put off by my questions (no line behind me) and after just 2 questions, she emphatically stated, "we are treated well and don't want a union." I was really surprised. This is Chicago after all.

Sad that this young woman doesn't get it

[Starry Messenger]

3. k&r

[ibewlu606]

4. Kicked!

This is a good start, but leaders at the very top of organizer labor should hold politicians accountable on economic issues that affect the rank and file.

[LiberalLoner]

5. K&R

[Dont call me Shirley]

7. keep up the pressure, unions!