John,

While some federal workers are returning to work after the longest government shutdown in American history (and the third under Trump’s leadership), others are still on administrative leave or permanently laid off. The invisible victims of the shutdown–service workers, custodians, and security guards that keep federal workplaces running–are not guaranteed back pay for the weeks of work missed. The government may be back open, but the cruelty continues.

And they’re not alone. Millions of workers across sectors are struggling or in immediate need, facing a manufactured crisis enforced by an anti-democratic regime, billionaire-backed politicians, and out-of-control corporate greed. But working people have the solutions to get us out of this mess, and they need our support. That’s why today, we’re relaunching the Worker Solidarity Fund to help fuel the unyielding force that is working people.

Immediate and temporary assistance is critical in this moment, but challenging our rigged systems with organized demands for safety, dignity, and prosperity could have generational and long-lasting impacts for all working people. In 2020, when it became clear that the federal government and other institutions were failing workers during a global pandemic, Jobs with Justice and our network of coalitions jumped into action by creating the Worker Solidarity Fund. Together, we distributed over $2 million in direct assistance to workers building power during an international crisis.
 

We must support the immediate needs of workers while also building long-term power. At Jobs with Justice, we believe we can do both. And the time to do it is now.

John, even as you read this, we’ve already distributed over $10,000 to coalitions in Philadelphia and Missouri to support food banks organized alongside AFGE members who have been furloughed or laid-off. We have a goal to raise $300,000 ASAP to continue moving funds to support:

• Federal workers whose livelihoods remain under threat, regardless of the end of the government shutdown.

• Working families struggling to keep food on the table as institutional safety nets like SNAP are used as bargaining chips. All while their low-wage employers rake in tax breaks and record profits.

• And workers anxiously awaiting the potentially debilitating increase in healthcare costs.

We know we can build worker power with resilience and care, ensuring a future where all working people thrive. Learn more about the Worker Solidarity Fund and support direct assistance to workers with a donation at www.thesolidarityhub.org/wsf.

In solidarity,

Erica Smiley

Executive Director

Jobs with Justice

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