Collective Actions Ignite A Movement

Collective Actions Ignite A Movement

April 25, 2011
By Richard Ianuzzi 

Spring signals a rebirth — a rebirth, not only in nature but, as the cold, hard win­ter recedes from memory, a rebirth in our spirit. The themes of spring and rebirth also serve as meta­phors for a new energy and urgency gripping the labor movement around the country.

This issue of NYSUT United re­ports on the AFL-CIO's "We Are One" rally, where more than 15,000 union members jammed the streets of New York, stretching from Times Square down Seventh Avenue for more than five blocks. NYSUT is proud to have played a critical role in initiating, organizing and leading the rally.

The rally culminated a week of protests and demonstrations in ev­ery corner of New York and through­out the U.S. Despite efforts by anti union forces to try to drive a wedge between private and public sector union members, dozens of rallies drew tens of thousands of union members electricians, health professionals, carpenters, govern­ment employees, auto workers and throngs of educators from our class­rooms and colleges.

Many were veterans of years of demonstrations against injustice, but politicians should take careful note: Thousands of young workers those who entered classrooms or joined their trades in the last five or 10 years also took their place in the proud lines of unionists speaking up and speaking out.

The Times Square rally and doz­ens like it sent a clear message to elected officials, reminding them that the labor anthem, "Solidarity For­ever," doesn't mean solidarity when convenient. The words resounding through the canyons of Seventh Av­enue were aimed at every politician, Democrat and Republican: If you wait for an election year to stand shoulder to shoulder with organized labor, you'll be standing alone.

In too many states, politicians are aiming to dismantle the core of collective bargaining, shifting even greater power and wealth into the hands of their political backers. But Gov. Scott Walker's assault on organized labor in Wisconsin, in­stead of disheartening workers, provided a spark that is turning a moment into a movement.

The battle certainly isn't confined to Wisconsin and the Midwest. The battle rages in the Northeast and here in New York as well. We see tax breaks for the wealthy while poor school districts see their state aid frozen or cut. We see attacks on collective bargaining and attempts to destroy the fairness created by seniority. And, in the corridors of our state Capitol, we see attacks on public employees, on due process, on compensation and on pensions.

Unfortunately, the battle will be played out again in at least some school districts around the state where unscrupulous school boards and administrations will try to use the May 17th budget vote to cut costs by eliminating positions and programs vital to today's students. It will be critical for voters to be given the information needed to un­derstand which budgets are good for kids and which are designed to hurt kids.

Yes, warm breezes are upon us a welcoming sign of spring. But the winds of change are here as well: change aimed at pushing back against the bluster of selfishness and greed; change aimed at a re­birth for equity and fairness car­ried by the fresh winds of collective action.