John,
Through my experience as an organizer with Mi Familia Vota, an SEIU civic participation program, and working for UFCW Local 99 nearly two decades ago, I learned the power of unions.
In Arizona, the Republican extremists have continued to attack our labor movement by trying to stop them from improving working conditions, unionizing, and their efforts to build political power.
And when the same forces gutted our education system and health care and attacked our immigrant communities, Labor has not shied away. They have collectively worked with our progressive organizations to fight back. To stop the chipping away of our education, protect health care and access to abortions, and push back against the anti-immigrant sentiment.
Never once did our friends in labor say, “those aren’t our fights.” They said, “we have your back.”
We rise on the shoulders of Labor. Who, despite the adversities, have built strong unions.
From construction workers, grocery store workers, and those who respond to crises. Labor has organized their workplace and built political power.
Now we have to seal the deal on the work that has been done by the labor movement and by the young and old knocking on doors in 115-degree weather. We have to seal the deal and break the cycle of poverty and get to a stronger middle class -- because the other side won’t do it for us. It’s up to us.
We have to retake the majority in Congress and protect our majority in the Senate. We have to re-elect President Biden, and support progressives at the state and local level here in Arizona too.
We are stronger than we’ve ever been. We are more than allies -- we are family -- and we can get this done! Thank you!
Happy Labor Day,
Raquel Terán
