Missourians have the rare right, under their state constitution, to repeal bad laws recently passed by the legislature if at least 5% of voters sign a petition forcing it onto the ballot, and then a majority votes to overturn the law. Union supporters needed 100,000 signatures to put repeal of "right to work" on the ballot. They collected over three times that amount.
Ohio is the other state where voters have this right. After the legislature and governor there, in 2011, too...k away public employee bargaining rights, unions (including UE's private and public sector locals in Ohio) gathered over 1 million signatures and put the issue on the ballot. Then, by 61 to 39 percent, voters restored union bargaining rights for public workers (including the right to strike.) That's why UE Locals 741 and 799 still have their union rights today, and it's why Ohio Republicans are afraid to pass "right to work."
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In light of the events of recent days, a reminder that racism and bigotry are the enemies of unionism. The great labor film Matewan (1987) is a partially-fictionalized account of an actual coal mining strike in 1920 in Matewan, WV. The speech by the union organizer in this clip is one of the best summaries of what the word "union" means.
If you're attending our 75th convention and you haven't yet registered for a workshop, you should do so soon. Some of them are filling up fast!
Statement of UE Officers
UE CONDEMNS TRUMPS TOLERANCE FOR THE
WHITE SUPREMACIST ATTACKS IN CHARLOTTESVILLE
White supremacists and neo-Nazi organizers emboldened by Trump’s presidency see the Trump era as their time and Trump has done absolutely nothing to discourage them. UE condemns the attack on Charlottesville VA and promises to continue organizing in our workplaces and communities to fight racism, fascism and bigotry. .
A young woman and two police officers were senselessly killed as a result of the torrent of hate that white supremacists unleashed on Charlottesville this past weekend. It was absolutely unconscionable that Trump refused to condemn the hate filled actions and rhetoric of those responsible and instead blamed “many sides” for the violence that caused death and destruction in Charlottesville.
Trump’s failure to call out neo-Nazi’s and other bigots is not surprising. Some of the supremacists even chanted “Heil Trump.” Trump’s campaign of hate against non-whites, threats to punch opponents in the face, and his plan to deport immigrants and build walls embolden the very forces which were unleashed on Charlottesville. Trump is simply unfit to be the President of the United States.
We should not lose sight of the reason why white supremacists unleashed their fury on the people of Charlottesville. They were protesting the city’s decision to remove the statue of a Confederate leader, a traitor, who believed African-American people should be enslaved.
UE stands with the people of Charlottesville and all of their allies who marched against the bigots and bravely stood up to hatred, racism, and violence. Our union was founded on the principles of equality for all -- regardless of who you are, where you came from, or what you believe. UE local leaders and members enforce these principles in our workplaces and communities every day. We reject Trump’s pandering to white supremacists and hatred which is contrary to the core principles of UE.
On behalf of our union, we send our sympathies to the family of the young woman who lost her life fighting for justice and to the two officers who died in the line of duty on August 12. We will mourn their deaths and fight like hell to stamp out the scourge of racism, bigotry, and hate.
Peter Knowlton
General President
Andrew Dinkelaker
General Secretary-Treasurer
Gene Elk
Director of Organization
UE General President Peter Knowlton speaking Sunday evening at a Pittsburgh vigil for the three people who died in Charlottesville, and against racism and fascism.
UE National President Peter Knowlton rocked it at the Pgh vigil for Charlottesville. Very proud.