Virginia workers came together in Fairfax yesterday with a strong, simple message for elected officials: America needs unions!
The workers pointed to skyrocketing education costs and uncertainty around their futures as reasons why they saw unions as a beacon of opportunity:
"I joined the #FightFor15 and am fighting for the #union because — even though I worked hard — I couldn't afford college. I couldn't even afford the fees, let alone tuition…. with the union, though, we can stand up together!" – Shanelle pic.twitter.com/VXUK3qSotO
— SEIU Virginia 512 (@SEIUVA512) June 18, 2018
.@FEA_Fairfax @JessicaBowser1 talking about how strong unions help students and educators both succeed! #Union #AmericaNeedsUnions #NOVAroundtable pic.twitter.com/Z8CoSnqfUh
— SEIU Virginia 512 (@SEIUVA512) June 18, 2018
They know unions are the answer to their fight for good pay and benefits.
"I know the POWER of a union. We've won raises so that my daughter can go to science summer camp instead of sitting at home." – Union social worker April kicking off #AmericaNeedsUnions roundtable with @GerryConnolly and @JenniferWexton. #Union pic.twitter.com/KJaLhXYb1V
— SEIU Virginia 512 (@SEIUVA512) June 18, 2018
@SEIUVA512 home care union leader, Janet: “Being a part of @SEIU is a way to fight for home care workers to make a living wage. I have seen the power workers have when they come together in a union.” #AmericaNeedsUnions #NOVAroundtable #VANeedsUnions pic.twitter.com/pXZaqZLD7x
— Jess Brown (@jesselizabrown) June 18, 2018
Virginia politicians agreed that unions would help give more power to working people to improve jobs, raise wages, and drive the economy forward:
This morning I joined @GerryConnolly and workers here in Northern Virginia to discuss giving working Americans more power to improve jobs, raise wages, and fuel more inclusive prosperity in our economy. #Union #WeRise pic.twitter.com/C03Vxhkcoe
— Jennifer Wexton (@JenniferWexton) June 18, 2018
Proud to stand alongside @SEIU @FEA_Fairfax @LIUNA and our brothers and sisters across labor to talk about why America needs unions. I will continue to oppose this Administration's callous attacks on working people. #Union #WeRise pic.twitter.com/bfdQcIySY8
— Gerry Connolly (@GerryConnolly) June 18, 2018
Congressman @GerryConnolly tells union members: “The unions give workers a voice. Encourage members to get involved. That is how we win.” #WeRise #UNION #VANeedsUnions #NOVAroundtable pic.twitter.com/mY9O1WV6kE
— Jess Brown (@jesselizabrown) June 18, 2018