Vermont State Labor Council, AFL-CIO

 

VT AFL-CIO Stands with Black Communities in Resistance

-Self Determination For Black People In The U.S.; -Free All Black Political Prisoners; -The Murders Must Be Stopped; -Black Lives Matter. Vermont AFL-CIO Position Statement On The Fight Against Racism: Now Is The Time For Unity & Action! June 28, 2020, Montpelier, VT - Black Lives Matter. The Vermont AFL-CIO understands and recognizes that the United States of America is a nation which has long been governed by a ruling class whose power (social and economic) is rooted in slavery, racism, inequity, and oppression. We further see with clear eyes that Black people, whose ancestors were brought to this country in chains, have suffered (and continue to suffer) oppression on a massive and inexcusable scale. Such facts are made plain by not only looking at history, but also by looking at contemporary unemployment figures, poverty rates, average household income, incarceration rates, and through policing data. People who are Black are also murdered by American police officers with sickening regularity. George Floyd was not an exception. He, like Breonna Taylor, Michael Brown, Terence Crutcher, Eric Garner, Freddie Gray (to name but a few), was one of the latest in a long line of martyrs going back hundreds of years (and accounting for thousands of taken lives). We must not become numb to these murders. We cannot accept that Black families must educate their children on how to not become the target of unprovoked police violence. We cannot allow systematic racism and police violence against Black people to continue as the regularity that it has always been. Rather, we must resist.

VERMONT AFL-CIO TEN POINT PROGRAM

A New Path Towards Progressive Change For Labor Organized Labor has been the most powerful force for change in the History of the United States of America. From the 8 hour day/40 hour work week, the establishment of the weekend, livable wages (in Union shops), to workplace safety standards; Labor has won these foundational victories through collective action and solidarity. However, for some decades Labor, nationally, has been on the decline...We can (and must) be a social and political power once again; one capable not only of defending against the attacks we now face from DC, but also of going on the offensive and delivering positive life altering changes for working people. But we will not achieve our potential if we stay on the road more traveled....

Joe Biden and Richard Trumka: Put power back in workers' hands

Fifty-five years ago, in a speech to the convention of the Illinois AFL-CIO, the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. laid out with characteristic moral clarity the essential role of unions in American life. “The labor movement,” he explained, “was the principal force that transformed misery and despair into hope and progress … [When] the wave of union organization crested over the nation, it carried to secure shores not only itself but the whole society. Civilization began to grow in the economic life of man, and a decent life with a sense of security and dignity became a reality rather than a distant dream.”

Kamala Harris and Liz Shuler: Unions can help America build back better after COVID-19

This Labor Day, America’s working families are facing unprecedented challenges.

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Faith and Labor Movements Are Bridging Trump’s Racial Divide With Hope and Love

This election year, America faces interlocking crises—a global health crisis, economic collapse, and systemic racism. Even as we live in fear of disease and economic ruin, we have had to watch the on-camera murders of unarmed Black people by officers who have sworn to protect and serve us. So many of us have stood outside nursing homes and hospitals as our loved ones died inside, alone. In response, we are struggling with despair and asking, Dare we hope for profound change in our public life?

Faith and labor partnership launched on Birmingham bombing anniversary

Rev. William Barber, who heads the nonprofit Repairers of the Breach and the Poor People’s Campaign, joined Richard Trumka, president of the country’s largest federation of unions, at the church to announce a formal partnership to work for social, racial and economic justice. Trumka said the labor movement honors the bombing’s four young victims: Addie Mae Collins, Cynthia Wesley, Carole Robertson and Carol Denise McNair. “But our debt to this community is greater than that,” he said.

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How We Fight for and Win $15 and a Union

Building Our $15 and a Union Now Movement

Whereas: There has been remarkable growth in the Fight for $15 movement since it was started by fast food workers in New York City in November of 2012, and 

Whereas: Observing that the movement to raise pay for workers, boost their purchasing power, and strengthen the economy has taken root in communities across United States and around the world, and 

Whereas: Recognizing that this movement is growing to include underpaid workers across the service sector such as grocery store workers, home care workers, hospital workers, adjunct professors, airport workers and others, and 

Whereas: Recognizing that other unions, faith organizations, student organizations, and community organizations are increasingly joining with us in a Fight for $15 movement, and 

Whereas: More and more workers are starting to fight for and win concrete victories, such as the $15/hour minimum wage in Seattle, and

Whereas: The power of organized labor is needed for low wage workers to win livable wages and the power and respect that comes through union organization.

Therefore, be it resolved: That the Vermont State Labor Council, AFL-CIO will commit resources, and urge and its member unions and membership, to commit resources to a $15 and a Union Now movement based on organized union power by vigorously supporting the fight of the City Market workers of UE Local 203 for an immediate minimum wage of $15.

Take Action for $15 and a Union
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A complete and accurate count in the 2020 census is vital to working families in every corner of our country but the enumeration period ends soon and there are still communities with low response rates.

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