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San Diego & Imperial Counties Labor Council, AFL-CIO @sdiclaborcouncil.bsky.social · 10h

We must fight them as a united working class if we hope to build a future where working people can thrive.

San Diego & Imperial Counties Labor Council, AFL-CIO @sdiclaborcouncil.bsky.social · 10h

One of the first targets when ICE launched their campaign of terror: undocumented workers in LA's garment industry. The billionaire class is aligning to roll back the victories that workers won through struggle and sacrifice over the last 100 years.

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San Diego & Imperial Counties Labor Council, AFL-CIO @sdiclaborcouncil.bsky.social · 10h

After 26 days, the workers won nearly all their demands, and formed Dressmakers Union Local 96 under the ILGWU.

Nearly 100 years later, garment workers in LA are still fighting exploitation and state violence.

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San Diego & Imperial Counties Labor Council, AFL-CIO @sdiclaborcouncil.bsky.social · 10h

On October 12, more than 3,000 garment workers walked off the job to demand union recognition, a 35 hour work week, minimum wage, and safer working conditions. The LAPD "Red Squad" was called in to break the strike by arresting and assaulting workers, but the strikers held firm.

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San Diego & Imperial Counties Labor Council, AFL-CIO @sdiclaborcouncil.bsky.social · 10h

Rose helped the women build their campaign, working with dress maker Anita Andrade Castro. Rose brought her experience, and Anita and the women helped build a campaign that embraced the culture, language and values of the immigrant workers.

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San Diego & Imperial Counties Labor Council, AFL-CIO @sdiclaborcouncil.bsky.social · 10h

After 30,000 NYC dress makers won their strike in 1932, word had spread to Los Angeles and women had already begun talking about organizing. The ILGWU sent Rose Pesotta, a Ukrainian immigrant and ILGWU organizer, to Los Angeles.

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San Diego & Imperial Counties Labor Council, AFL-CIO @sdiclaborcouncil.bsky.social · 10h

Even many unionists—including some of the leaders of the International Ladies Garment Workers Union (ILGWU)—believed the Mexican women in the garment factories couldn't be organized. But others disagreed.

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San Diego & Imperial Counties Labor Council, AFL-CIO @sdiclaborcouncil.bsky.social · 10h

For immigrant families, the only options were often jobs in the garment industry. Garment houses used desperation to exploit workers, especially Mexican immigrants. By 1933, these women made up 75% of the workforce in LA. At the time, Los Angeles was one of the most anti-union cities in America.

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San Diego & Imperial Counties Labor Council, AFL-CIO @sdiclaborcouncil.bsky.social · 10h

When greed crashed the stock market in 1929 and sent America spinning into the Great Depression, the ladies garment industry was one of the least affected. While men struggled to find work, the growing garment industry was hiring—but nearly all the jobs were for women. 🧵 #unionhistory #laborhistory

Image from strike of women carrying picket signs with text reading "Los Angeles garment workers strike, October 12, 1933"

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Reposted by San Diego & Imperial Counties Labor Council, AFL-CIO

San Diego & Imperial Counties Labor Council, AFL-CIO @sdiclaborcouncil.bsky.social · 3d

Trump shut down gov, fired 300K workers & is stealing $4.5T from working class for billionaires. Now he’s rigging elections.

We’re fighting back with YES on Prop 50. Join us!

🕘 SATURDAY, OCTOBER 11 @ 9 AM
📍 MacArthur Park (La Mesa)
🍳 Brekky & lunch provided!

RSVP: unionyes.org/prop50

#YesOn50

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San Diego & Imperial Counties Labor Council, AFL-CIO @sdiclaborcouncil.bsky.social · 3d

Working people have the power to fight for our fair share if we have the courage to work in solidarity and demand it.

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San Diego & Imperial Counties Labor Council, AFL-CIO @sdiclaborcouncil.bsky.social · 3d

Not only that, they won union representation for even more port workers who had not had a union before. The port lockout is another important reminder that the US economy does not and cannot move without our labor.

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San Diego & Imperial Counties Labor Council, AFL-CIO @sdiclaborcouncil.bsky.social · 3d

Working around the clock, they reached a tentative agreement.

The new contract included a huge raise, and a 58% increase in the employers' contribution to the members' pensions. While workers agreed to the new technology, the jobs would be union.

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San Diego & Imperial Counties Labor Council, AFL-CIO @sdiclaborcouncil.bsky.social · 3d

AFL-CIO Secretary Treasurer Richard Trumka demanded "If every employer thinks the federal government will step in, why should they negotiate and let the natural bargaining process play out?" The ports were reopened, and the sides were brought back to the table.

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San Diego & Imperial Counties Labor Council, AFL-CIO @sdiclaborcouncil.bsky.social · 3d

Under heavy pressure from corporate America, President George W. Bush invoked the Taft-Hartley Act and forced the ports to end the lockout. The ILWU and the labor movement opposed the use of Taft-Hartley.

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San Diego & Imperial Counties Labor Council, AFL-CIO @sdiclaborcouncil.bsky.social · 3d

They refused to work overtime and strongly enforced contract restrictions. Rather than come back to the table, the PMA shut down all 29 ports and locked workers out. The lockout lasted 11 days.

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San Diego & Imperial Counties Labor Council, AFL-CIO @sdiclaborcouncil.bsky.social · 3d

PMA was determined to roll out new cargo-tracking technology. Management wanted the new jobs to be non-union, and the ILWU insisted that new workers should have the benefits and protections of the union. When management refused to negotiate in good faith, ILWU members began a "work-to-rule" action.

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San Diego & Imperial Counties Labor Council, AFL-CIO @sdiclaborcouncil.bsky.social · 3d

As negotiations ramped up for a new contract at ports along the West Coast in 2002, the biggest sticking point wasn't pay or benefits. The Pacific Maritime Association (PMA) represented employers at all 29 ports along the West Coast. 🧵 #unionhistory #laborhistory #1u

Graphic with photos of workers picketing at ports during the 2002 ports lockout. Text reads "West Coast Ports Lockout, Sept. 27-October 9 2002. Honoring Union History"

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Reposted by San Diego & Imperial Counties Labor Council, AFL-CIO

San Diego & Imperial Counties Labor Council, AFL-CIO @sdiclaborcouncil.bsky.social · 6d

Phonebank local union members for YES on Prop 50 Thursday 10/09, 5-8pm (and every Thursday through Nov. 4). Do your part to stop Trump's power grab!

In-person: United Labor Center. Food provided!
Virtual: RSVP to get the zoom link!
Info + RSVP: unionyes.org/prop50

#UnionYesOn50 #YesOn50

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San Diego & Imperial Counties Labor Council, AFL-CIO @sdiclaborcouncil.bsky.social · 3d

Trump shut down gov, fired 300K workers & is stealing $4.5T from working class for billionaires. Now he’s rigging elections.

We’re fighting back with YES on Prop 50. Join us!

🕘 SATURDAY, OCTOBER 11 @ 9 AM
📍 MacArthur Park (La Mesa)
🍳 Brekky & lunch provided!

RSVP: unionyes.org/prop50

#YesOn50

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Reposted by San Diego & Imperial Counties Labor Council, AFL-CIO

UPTE-CWA Local 9119 @uptecwa.bsky.social · 6d

ICYMI: With 10,000 PLUS votes in, more UPTE members voted YES to strike than during our vote in February. We're stronger and more fired up than ever as we continue our fight for our patients, students, and research. ✊ ✊ ✊

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Reposted by San Diego & Imperial Counties Labor Council, AFL-CIO

More Perfect Union @moreperfectunion.bsky.social · 6d

More than 800,000 Uber and Lyft drivers in California will be able to unionize under a bill that has now been signed into law.

The law also requires the corporate giants to bargain with these workers in good faith.

17 320 1.6K

San Diego & Imperial Counties Labor Council, AFL-CIO @sdiclaborcouncil.bsky.social · 6d

Phonebank local union members for YES on Prop 50 Thursday 10/09, 5-8pm (and every Thursday through Nov. 4). Do your part to stop Trump's power grab!

In-person: United Labor Center. Food provided!
Virtual: RSVP to get the zoom link!
Info + RSVP: unionyes.org/prop50

#UnionYesOn50 #YesOn50

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San Diego & Imperial Counties Labor Council, AFL-CIO @sdiclaborcouncil.bsky.social · 7d

After decades of oppression, Polish workers freed themselves from the Soviet Union's rule. Workers restored Polish democracy under the banner of solidarity—literally. Their story reminds us of the power of resilience, and that when we take action together there is no more powerful force in the world

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San Diego & Imperial Counties Labor Council, AFL-CIO @sdiclaborcouncil.bsky.social · 7d

that forced the Polish government to negotiate with workers. Solidarnosc was restored, and the government agreed to the first free parliamentary elections since before WWII.

In 1989, Walesa's Solidarnosc party won the elections, and in 1990, Walesa was elected president of Poland.

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