A Message from Business Manager Chris Erikson
It cannot be a coincidence that The Daily News would give a platform to a carnival barker touting national “Right to Work” legislation in an op-ed on Labor Day, while The Daily News management is in the middle of their own labor dispute with their employees. Mark Mix of the National Right To Work Committee touts an example of corruption of “Union Bosses.” Union officers are not bosses, they are democratically elected leaders, and corruption in other institutions including among our elected politicians far exceeds the shortcomings of a few weak individuals. Mark Mix plays the race card as well.
Suggesting that workers would be better off under a national “Right to Work” law is nonsense. Only the real company bosses would win in that situation. No dues means no unions. Unions wouldn’t be able to afford to operate, which means no rights, no protections, lower standards, and no more middle class in America. Trade unionists know better. The Labor Movement has been under attack for more than 45 years, especially after Ronald Reagan fired the unionized air traffic controllers. The Labor Movement is the only organized group made up of working class Americans stopping the top 1% in this country from having it all.
We’re not stupid. We know our union cards are pathways to a better life. We can feed our families, own homes, and have medical benefits. We’re able to send our children to college and, most importantly, be able to retire in dignity without being a burden on our families or the government. A union job is all about our economic security.
Keep The Unions Strong, brothers and sisters, and shame on you Daily News!
Finally, thank you to everyone who showed up at the NYC Labor Day Parade on Saturday, September 6th. We were able to show the strength of Organized Labor, as tens of thousands of working class Union members, including thousands of Local 3 sisters and brothers, marched proudly up 5th Avenue. Thank you for the support as Local 3 announced the endorsement of Andrew Cuomo, running as an independent in the NYC Mayoral race. Cuomo has been a supporter and friend of our union for decades, and he is the best candidate to support union labor, ensure stability in our city, raise the standards of all working people, and fight back against the right-wing and anti-labor conservatives who continually attack our city. As mayor, Cuomo will focus on affordability, public health and safety, housing, and expanding work opportunities for all New Yorkers.
