Page 6 - Work Force February 2025

Conference gives inspiring message to labor, civil rights movements
Several members of our CSEA family recently joined other activists from the labor, civil rights and social justice movements at the AFL-CIO's Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Civil and Human Rights Conference in Austin, Texas.
Our union’s delegation
Our union members should not have to work or live in a society where they are judged for their differences or their choices. Everyone deserves equality rights, whether they are human, civil or economic.”
The conference strongly emphasized the need for solidarity, particularly as both movements will see many challenges ahead.
“What I got out of the conference was the strong emphasis on
solidary within the union family, which is one of the key principles underlying its mission to improve workers’ rights and advocate for economic justice,” said Mootry. “Solidarity in this context means uniting workers across various industries, backgrounds, and regions to advocate collectively for shared interest, ensuring that all workers are treated fairly, receive decent wages, and have access to health care, safe working conditions, and the right to organize.”
Conference speakers included labor leaders and elected officials, including AFL-CIO President Liz Shuler and International SEIU President April Verrett.
One convention highlight was Shuler welcoming SEIU back into the AFL-CIO. SEIU’s reaffiliation brings about 2 million more members into the federation, which will be key to building worker power.
Our union’s delegation members also noted the power of union women.
“[I received a] greater knowledge on how our affiliate unions plan
to move forward into this political climate by sticking together,” said Avila-Valentin. “It was great to see SEIU President April Verrett side by side with the AFL-CIO President Liz Shuler, empowering women in the labor movement.”
Land was also moved by the historic moment announcing the reaffiliation.
AFL-CIO President Liz Shuler addresses the convention. (Photo provided by CSEA Statewide Secretary Richard Bebo.)
included CSEA
Statewide
Secretary Richard
Bebo, CSEA
Deputy Director
of Membership
Veronica Avila-
Valentin, CSEA
Director of
Education and
Leadership Development Lauren Jackson, CSEA Deputy Director
of Organizing April Land and
CSEA Western Region Director Robert Mootry. Each of the CSEA representatives noted that they were excited to be a part of the event and the message it inspired and wanted to share their experience with our union family.
There have long been strong connections between the labor
and civil rights movements; Dr. King would often acknowledge that without one, the other could never be fulfilled. The conference served as an opportunity to strengthen the movements and build solidarity to attain justice.
Bebo noted that there is much more work to be done to realize Dr. King’s dream.
“In 1961, Dr. King stated [at the AFL-CIO Convention], ‘I look forward confidently to the day when all who work for a living will be one with
no thought to their separateness as Negroes, Jews, Italians or any other distinctions. This will be the day when we bring into full realization the American dream—a dream yet unfulfilled.’ It is almost 65 years later and this dream is still unfulfilled.” said Bebo.
Bebo
6 The Work Force
February 2025
International SEIU President April Verrett addresses convention attendees. (Photo provided by CSEA Statewide Secretary Richard Bebo.)
“[Verrett] urged us to reimagine the fight for justice, freedom and progress,” said Land. “Both women spoke about the need for unity and solidarity at a time when those fighting on the side of labor might feel defeated due to the election of Donald Trump.”
Through the conference programs, Jackson, Avila-Valentin and Land
all noted the importance of union women to tell their stories, not
only to inspire others but to help them develop a plan to meet the challenges ahead.
“We don’t put enough emphasis on the power that we have as women,” said Jackson. “Telling our story is so important to bringing other women
into the movement. When we are shy about speaking our truth, we withhold inspiration from other women who may have been in a similar spot we were in and may not see a way through it. Solidarity is key!”
The conference attendees noted while there are many challenges, there are also many opportunities to stand together.
“The conference equipped me with knowledge and inspiration to prepare our union’s membership for the fight ahead,” said Avila-Valentin. “While there is a lot of work to do, the force of solidarity we have within our affiliates reminded me that we will need to be diligent and steadfast.”