We live in unprecedented times. Never in living memory has the threat to our way of life been more evident. Headlines get scarier, and more absurd by the day. Rights and protections we once considered almost sacred are being stripped away before our eyes. Our faith in our government, in our economy, and in our institutions is failing as we see them co-opted by billionaires and sold off for parts.
And yet, the American people, more than at any time in the last 60 years, are turning to the labor movement. A recent Gallup poll indicates that trust in unions exceeds our trust in either major political party. People trust unions more than corporations. And workers, especially young workers, overwhelmingly approve of the way unions are fighting to protect workers, families, and the fabric of American society.
CWA stands at the forefront of many of these struggles. Whether leading the way for protections from abuses of artificial intelligence or bargaining for strong healthcare and wages, regardless of the industry or sector, CWA is punching high above our weight. We are known, by both our allies and adversaries, as a fighting union, willing to engage those who undermine worker rights and safety, be they corporate CEOs, bullying billionaires, or paid-off politicians.
When worker rights are under attack, what do we do?
Stand up, fight back!
November’s midterm elections are right around the corner. This is our chance to turn the tide, push back against injustice, and check the power of corrupt politicians. Despite the news headlines, all is not lost. The fight is far from over. But we will need all hands on deck in order to do what we do best: engage in one-on-one conversations with other workers.
This Labor Day, we remember the spirit of those workers who bled and died for things we take for granted today: a five-day workweek, an eight-hour workday, and a world where children are free to be kids and not drafted into dangerous employment. These fights were in service of building a better America—an America for the people, not the profiteers. Today, we continue this fight, expanding on the promise of a better tomorrow and improving life for workers, families, and communities.
Every one of us will play a role in building the future. We can have a nation of interconnected communities and worksites, joined in uplifting workers and celebrating our shared values. Or we can succumb to fatigue and demoralization and allow modern oligarchs to drag us back to the days of unsafe workplaces and environmental catastrophes, where our communities are splintered, leaving the American people easily isolated and controlled.
I know my choice. So long as I have breath in my lungs, I will use it to speak truth to power and let those who oppose our movement know: we are unified, we are unafraid, and we will not go backward.
This Labor Day, let us honor the sacrifices of our labor forbears by standing up and fighting back. The late Dolly Parton once said, “Find out who you are and do it on purpose.” It’s time for us all to remember that we are proud union members continuing a legacy of resistance to tyranny.
And there is no better time than now to “do it on purpose.”
God bless you and have a happy and safe Labor Day.
In Unity,
Claude Cummings Jr.
President
