John,
Labor Day exists because workers fought for it, often risking their lives to make change.
It was the labor movement that won us the 8 hour workday, child labor laws, the right to strike, and safe working conditions. None of that was handed to working people — it was organized, marched for, and won.
We celebrate that legacy today and the labor movement that made it all possible.
The fights over workers rights and protections are still ongoing, and we’re proud to be backing several bold leaders who are leading the charge on the issues that matter most to working people.
Claire Valdez has always been a fighter for working people. When she was sworn into the New York State Assembly, she put her hand on a copy of No Shortcuts, by the game-changing union organizer, Jane McAlevey.
Before she was ever in office, she organized her coworkers through UAW Local 2110, served on the bargaining committee, and was elected Unit Chair to represent 500 workers. She stood in solidarity with workers time and time again — even taking three trains, a ferry, and a bus to Woodside to stand with Amazon workers on the picket line.
Donavan McKinney spent years as Political and Coalition Director for SEIU Healthcare Michigan. He led statewide coalition work organizing for better wages and stronger workplace protections.
As a high schooler, Christian Phelps organized walkouts against Wisconsin Governor Scott Walker’s law that stripped public sector unions of their collective bargaining rights. He later became a union member himself, working as a special education professional and joining Madison Teachers Inc.
Randy Villegas grew up in a working class family in Bakersfield. As a school board trustee, he banned the use of RoundUp on school property to protect students and the workers who maintained the school grounds.
These are just a few of our endorsed candidates that have stood in solidarity with working people, and they’re exactly the kind of leaders we desperately need more of.
With less than 60 days left until Election Day, the difference between leaders who will fight for working people and one that fights for corporations and billionaires, comes down to who we elect this cycle.
Thank you,
David Hogg
