26 Feb BCTGM Members Join Worker Day of Action Events
BCTGM Local 6 members were among thousands of workers who rallied in Philadelphia’s Thomas Paine Plaza on February 24 ahead of a Supreme Court vote that could profoundly affect the ability of public-sector workers to improve their wages and working conditions. The Philadelphia rally, which included AFL-CIO President Richard Trumka, was a part of the national “Workers Day of Action” movement, which included events in 28 cities.
Today, February 26th, the Supreme Court is scheduled to hear oral arguments in Janus v. AFSCME, a case that threatens the right of the majority of workers to bargain with their public employer, through their democratically elected union.
While the outcome of the case will affect about 17 million public-sector workers across the country, black women in particular could be hurt by Janus, as they are disproportionately represented in public sector jobs. They make up 17.7 percent of public-sector workers, or about 1.5 million workers.
If the Supreme Court decides in favor of weakening unions, it will impact the future of democratic decision making in the workplace and the preservation of good, middle-class jobs in public employment that have traditionally benefited African American women who have chosen to serve the public for their careers. – Economic Policy Institute