Page 4 - Work Force September 2021

President Mary E. Sullivan in touch with
Long Island Region: WENDI BOWIE (631) 462-0030
Metropolitan Region: DAVID GALARZA (212) 406-2156
Southern Region: JESSICA LADLEE (845) 831-1000
Capital Region: THERESE ASSALIAN (518) 782-4400
Central Region: NICHOLAS NEWCOMB (315) 728-3375
Western Region: OVE OVERMYER (716) 691-6555
Headquarters: JILL ASENCIO (518) 257-1276
WorkForce ISSN 1522-1091
Official publication of
CSEA Local 1000, AFSCME, AFL-CIO 143 Washington Ave. Albany, NY 12210-2303
Mary E. Sullivan, President
MARK M. KOTZIN
Director of Communications and Publisher
MATHEW L. CANTORE Deputy Director of Communications
JANICE GAVIN Editor
JASON D. HOSIER Graphic Production Specialist
BETH MCINTYRE Graphic Production Specialist
JOELLE LUCENTE Communications Assistant
CommuniCations speCialists
Karen Bright
Tim Finnigan Michele Kiuber
Marnie Rounds Marie Snyder Chris Vogel
The Publications Committee:
The Work Force (USPS 0445-010)
is published monthly by
The CSEA Publication Office:
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Albany, New York 12288,
and additional mailing offices.
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The
WorkForce
Labor Day 2021: Opportunity stands before us
Every Labor Day, we recognize workers for their achievements and contributions. It’s one of the rare times we focus on the state of working America, and question where improvements still need to be made.
Labor Day 2021 presents working America with so many challenges, yet many opportunities. Workers still have much to overcome, but also much to look forward to if we’re up for the fight. It’s worth starting on the encouraging news that public support for unions continues at an all-time high. That has the potential to make things better for so many American workers.
On the challenges side, we’re still dealing
with the very real health threat of the pandemic, as well as its impact on workers and staffing. Many workers, especially low-wage workers and people of color, were hit harder by COVID. Many front-line workers sacrificed during the worst
of the pandemic. As a result, it remains difficult to fill low-wage jobs, especially in the service industry. We’ve seen workers walking out of their workplaces, fed up with unlivable wages, long hours, and short staffing.
On Labor Day 2021, most American workers are still getting a very raw deal. We regularly
feel the squeeze of stagnant wages, as prices
for everything we need to survive and thrive continue rising. Added to that, the incredible income inequality that forces so many people into working multiple jobs to make ends meet, while the billionaires have ridiculous rocket-building contests to see who can launch themselves
into space first. Meanwhile, one of those same billionaires put a huge amount of money into opposing an attempt by his warehouse workers to form their own union. They wanted the collective power to negotiate to gain more favorable and safer working conditions, and maybe a little
bit more of the American Dream. The priorities of those who control so much wealth in this country are so far out of touch with the majority of working Americans, and it’s long past time for a change. Unions can be that agent for positive change, and thankfully, many are coming to that realization.
Throughout our country, we’ve seen a rise in workers empowering themselves. From Amazon workers, to technology workers, museum
workers, retail workers, university graduate students and adjunct professors, so-called ‘gig economy’ workers and journalists, to name a few. Maybe it’s a pushback against the very anti-worker administration in the previous White House, which tipped the scales more in favor of the ultra-wealthy than the rest of us. Maybe it’s
a residual impact from the ‘occupy’ movement. Maybe it’s the realization that workers need a structure that allows them to better fight to protect their safety and health in very unsafe times. It’s probably a combination of all these factors.
Whatever the cause, an opportunity stands before us. I hope the tipping point has been reached where more workers begin to take back their power. The wealthy are organized — they use their billions to influence politicians who make it harder for workers to form unions. They try and misdirect the economic misery
of the general public, blaming ‘immigrants’ or ‘socialism,’ hoping you won’t realize trickle-down economics never worked, and that they’ve been picking taxpayers’ pockets for decades, increasing their own fortunes with unchecked corporate welfare.
Fortunately, we can turn this stagnant economy around for working families by getting workers organized. It worked in the past, and
can still work today. It takes bravery, unity and persistence. It takes the willingness of workers
to stand up to their corporate overlords and demand their fair share. It will be easier if we
pass legislation like the Pro Act, which will allow a more level playing field for worker organizing efforts. We will still have to fight for what we deserve, but we can use our people power to push back against their financial muscle.
On this Labor Day 2021, my wish is that workers give themselves the power they deserve to improve their lives. I wish all working families a safer year ahead. Happy Labor Day!
In Solidarity,
Mary E. Sullivan, President
4 The Work Force
September 2021