08 Jan THIS is What Democracy Looks Like: Pro-Worker Senators Elected in Georgia
Today, we recognize the historic election in Georgia and thank the union activists and organizers โ including scores of BCTGM members who helped make the victories of these two pro-union champions possible.
With the election of Rev. Raphael Warnock and Jon Ossoff, working people in Georgia and across the United States have ensured that their voices will be heard on Capitol Hill in 2021 and beyond. Now, we will have a pro-labor majority in the U.S. Senate and a chance at getting the real labor law reform and COVID-19 relief weโve been fighting for!
BCTGM International President Anthony Shelton assigned International Representative Margaret McLaughlin and International Organizer/Business Agent Darrell Copeland to work on the Georgia campaigns.ย Southern Region Vice President Zack Townsend oversaw and coordinated the BCTGMโs efforts in Georgia. Also assisting in the effort on the ground was rank-and-file organizer Jared Cummings. Local 42 (Atlanta) and Local 25 (Chattanooga, Tenn.) helped engage union members in the state throughout the tremendous labor effort.
- Collectively, workers made nearly 750,000 calls;
- Workers (safely) knocked on more than 1.5 million doors;
- Workers sent more than 400,000 postcards to union members and nonunion members in Georgia.
BCTGM members began preparing for the Georgia Senate race shortly after the 2018 midterm elections. Members educated their co-workers on issues including the exporting of jobs and the importance of passing legislation like the PRO Act to enable more workers to join unions and improve laws that keep them safe in the workplace.
For the runoff election, BCTGM members across the country joined the efforts in Georgia, pitching in on the postcard campaign and virtual phone banks.
We still need laws that protect workersโ rights, which have been under attack for so long. We still need real relief during the COVID-19 pandemic, which is months overdue. The BCTGM will be keeping you updated with opportunities to be heard in our continuing fight to enact laws that protect workersโ rights.