This past Sunday I had the honor and privilege of attending the International Workers’ Day Picnic hosted by the Northern Colorado Labor Council, Poudre Education Association, and Fort Collins DSA.
Among those in attendance were members of the Letter Carriers Union, AFLCIO, SEIU, as well as the Teamsters Union who stole the show by bringing out their big Teamsters semi.
Americans across the country are organizing within their workplaces with a newfound vigor unseen since the 20th century. The strikes, organizing, and labor victories have been pervasive even within the most entrenched anti-labor corporations like Amazon, Starbucks, Kellogs, and John Deere. Organized Labor is presently on steroids and growing in strength by the hour.
That spirit of labor on the march was in the air Sunday and I am grateful to stand in solidarity with the men and women dedicated to the well-being of our workers.
|
|
|
(From left to right) Myself, Kevin Caffrey, President National Consumer Law Center (NCLC), Jake Kucera, International Brotherhood of Teamsters 455, and Warren Snyder Treasure NCLC.
|
|
|
For those like me with healthcare through the VA, those benefiting from the pensions they worked for, and those able to take off work for maternity/paternity leave, it can be easy to take for granted the benefits we receive, but for many, these benefits or their lack thereof can make the difference between financial wellbeing and ruin.
I know it because I lived it.
When I was two my mother was left with three kids and a bankrupt store. We moved in with my uncle in Everett, Washington where we lived in a trailer park and were on welfare, food stamps, and free meals at school. It was these programs that enabled my mother to both provide for and care for us kids while pursuing a nursing degree.
Once she got her degree my mother became a nurse within the United States Airforce and it was thanks to the benefits given to her in the service that she fought our family out of poverty bringing stability to our lives along with healthcare, dental, and a roof over our head.
After I joined the Marines, I too was empowered by the benefits I earned during my time serving, receiving a college education, healthcare for my children and I, and a pension along with disability benefits for the injuries I received in the ‘workplace’ (Iraq).
There is no reason why every American shouldn’t benefit from the same types of benefits and support that are earned by service members. In rural districts like mine, labor is supercharged and the moment for us to make a dent is now. Will you stand in solidarity with rural labor by joining our fight to make sure that every American has the protection they need at the workplace?
|
|
|
If you've stored your info with ActBlue Express, we'll process your contribution instantly:
|
|
|
Cases like that of the Greeley JBS plant workers show that the need for organized labor across the United States, Colorado, and in my own back yard here on the Eastern Plains, is more critical than ever and I am proud to add my voice to the supercharged movements of those who are seeking something better.
To those who have committed their lives to standing up for workers; you make all our lives a little bit better by doing what you do.
In solidarity,
Ike McCorkle
Combat Wounded
USMC Retired
|
|
|
|
