Yesterday in Durham, workers, candidates, and others in the community gathered to declare that America Needs Unions – especially in a so-called “right-to-work” state with a ban on collective bargaining.
They kicked things off with a clear message: “Union, yes!”
.@marybemcmillan starts off the #NCNeedsUnions town hall with a poem: "Say it loudly, and say it proudly, the answer to working to for less, is and always will be, union yes!" #FightFor15
Watch: https://t.co/R2zUoAMUVA pic.twitter.com/JaCwZ0SFEf
— Raise Up For $15 (@RaiseUpfor15) June 14, 2018
North Carolina has the second lowest rate of union membership in the country at 3.4%, and the workers told stories of the disastrous results like low wages, 48-hour workweeks, and workplace conditions so poor that some even died:
“Because we don’t have the right to collectively bargain in NC, we had workers that died in Charlotte because of excessive heat.” -Nathanette Mayo, president of NC Public Service Workers Union, UE Local 150 @DurhamWorkers #NCNeedsUnions pic.twitter.com/77Fqx66zP0
— Faculty Forward (@FacultyForward) June 14, 2018
"I have to work 48 hrs a week to get my full salary. Without union protections, I don't have a say in how many hours I work. I must do what I'm told. I'm serving at the mercy of the company I work at" – Wanda Coker, Burger King worker in the Durham area #FightFor15 #NCNeedsUnions pic.twitter.com/t4fsdGB57i
— Fight For 15 (@fightfor15) June 14, 2018
DGSU co-chair @jessacharoff: “I joined my union because despite working at one of the wealthiest institutions in the state and Durham’s largest employer, I do not make a living wage.” #NCNeedsUnions
— Duke Grad Union (@dukegradunion) June 14, 2018
“Next year, because of the fees that Duke imposes on me, my take home pay will be $14,000 a year. This is while I will be writing my dissertation and teaching students who pay $70,000 to attend” – Jess Issacharoff, Graduate Assistant, Duke University #NCneedsUnions
— Faculty Forward (@FacultyForward) June 15, 2018
The workers who spoke also called on elected officials to state their support for unions and change the story in North Carolina.
"Elected officials need to change the narrative, allow payroll deduction, fight to repeal right to work laws and the ban on collective bargaining." Michelle Burton w/ @DurhamEducators#NCNeedsUnions #1u #OrganizeTheSouth
— Salty Cummie? (@ryanstraysd) June 14, 2018
“To the officials here tonight, we need more than your tacit support. We need actual protections and actual policy that make it actually possible to organize and fight for our rights.” #NCNeedsUnions #organizethesouth
— Duke Grad Union (@dukegradunion) June 15, 2018
And officials and candidates responded:
Zach Hawkins (@zack_hawkins), Candidate for NC House District 31: I want to have folks from the labor community advising my work as a legislator. #NCNeedsUnions
— Durham Workers Assembly (@DurhamWorkers) June 15, 2018
Jeff Metamu (@JeffNC2) vows to challenge attempts by the government to interfere in contracts between workers and employers. Linda Coleman (@LindaForNC) follows by saying we need to pay closer attention to local elections. #NCNeedsUnions
— Durham Workers Assembly (@DurhamWorkers) June 15, 2018
"You might need to have an advocate. Sometimes you can't do it [alone] – you need a union [to address] workers' concerns" @LindaForNC #ncneedsunions #FightFor15 pic.twitter.com/JBoeG4uysi
— Raise Up For $15 (@RaiseUpfor15) June 15, 2018
"I will fight for legislation that will make your safe in the workplace. It's my solemn pledge that you aren't harassed or in any way feel endangers joining a union" – @RaudsepNCHouse #ncneedsunions #FightFor15 pic.twitter.com/roT5zDjtoT
— Raise Up For $15 (@RaiseUpfor15) June 15, 2018
Many people don’t believe you can #OrganizeTheSouth like this, but the North Carolina workers are proving that workers EVERYWHERE want and need unions – they showed up because they know they deserve better.
So proud of our NC family for showing up deep and sending a crystal clear message to candidates and elected officials. We can't keep struggling like this; broke and afraid of the next bill or getting our hours cut. #NCneedsunions #FightFor15 pic.twitter.com/6lPu9GEaU0
— Raise Up For $15 (@RaiseUpfor15) June 15, 2018
The Town Hall ended with a group photo and a chant:
“What time is it?”
“UNION TIME!”
Politicians take notice. We are the many and the hunger for our #Union will not end until every worker, in every industry has the chance to join with her peers without the boss getting in the way. Help us. Join us. This is our future, if you'll fight for it. #NCneedsunions pic.twitter.com/n6ATxS5nv0
— Raise Up For $15 (@RaiseUpfor15) June 15, 2018
Watch the entire #NCNeedsUnions Town Hall here:
We're live from the #NCNeedsUnions Town Hall in Durham where working people are challenging candidates on ways to strengthen our freedom to join together in #union to raise wages and created thriving communities!
Posted by Durham Workers Assembly on Thursday, June 14, 2018