On February 26 public sector union workers rallied around the United States in a crowd of employees from public sector unions, advocacy groups and others from Seattle and across the county rallied in response to the opening of the Supreme Court case of Janus v. American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees, Council 31. In Seattle, workers came out for a lunchtime rally and Liberation News was there.
A victory for Janus in this lawsuit against Illinois public sector unions would overturn existing laws that require public sector employees to pay fees to support the unions that represent them. By depriving the union of its main source of income, anti-union interests like Janus hope to move closer to busting public sector unions entirely. Gutting these
public sector unions across the country is a task that federal politicians, lobbyists, and capitalists of all stripes have been pursuing with renewed intensity in recent years. With a Supreme Court that favors the neoconservative wing of the ruling class set to hear the case, they seem on the verge of a major step toward realizing that goal.
Union members and leaders rightfully recognize this lawsuit and the renewed push to mandate “right to work” laws at both the state and federal level as attacks on their ability to better negotiate for their conditions. At the rally in Seattle, representatives from a variety of public sector unions made their voices heard. A true fraternal spirit was felt at this rally as speakers frequently addressed the people listening as their “brothers and sisters” with a message of struggle: “Regardless of the case, we will continue to fight for ourselves and our communities!”
Members of public sector unions spoke on how working in their own respective unions had changed their lives or how unions had assisted them when they needed help the most. Rally attendees were adorned with badges and stickers reading “Union Strong,” holding banners and overall making a clear show of their positive feelings about their own unions. Joelle from the Washington Community Action Network spoke in depth about how coverage under her partner’s insurance had saved her life when work was scarce during the financial crash of 2007 and stated, “We’re all here today for all of us.”
The recent strike action by Western Virginia teachers and the recent strike of Seattle School Bus drivers did not go unnoticed during this rally. It was clear to those assembled that unions are more necessary for improving the conditions of working people today than ever.
A strong public sector strengthens communities
When the public sector suffers, communities suffer. Union members are teachers, nurses, firefighters, and so on. and when these workers face discrimination, mandatory overtimes and lack of time off, the communities at large pay the price. The public sector is overworked, underpaid, and faces a tougher fight than ever to secure a healthy life for themselves and their communities.
Echoing this sentiment, Dennis Lawson, president of the Washington State Council of Firefighters declared that even if the case is decided against the unions, that “We have to find a way to be bigger, stronger, and louder than ever before” and left the audience with a slightly ironic, “Let’s build this fire!”
While many from the Seattle city government turned out in support of the protesting union members, the worst offenders against unions in Seattle did not go unrecognized. The University of Washington and Harborview Medical Center have repeatedly shown themselves to be exceptionally hostile to their own unions. Even in facing this adversity, both Service Employees Internation Union 925 and SEIUNW 1199 have won significant gains over the last two years, including increased membership, a stop to pay cuts and university fees, and the approval of improved and expanded sick leave for hospital employees.
The fight is on for public sector unions and the livelihood of the working class. Even with a case that is projected to be decided in favor of Janus, the gains of these unions and labor activists have made both locally and nationwide will draw more into their struggles, and more into their victories.
