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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 · 2d

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 · 2d

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 · 2d

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 · 2d

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 · 2d

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 · 2d

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 · 2d

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 · 2d

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 · 2d

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 · 5d

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 · 2d

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 · 5d

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 · 5d

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.

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San Diego & Imperial Counties Labor Council, AFL-CIO @sdiclaborcouncil.bsky.social · 5d

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 · 6d

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 · 6d

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

On October 5, 1983, Walesa was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize. Walesa continued to organize, even though he was subjected to relentless harassment, surveillance and arrest by state police. In 1988, as economies across the Soviet Union struggled, Walesa helped organize a series of strikes and actions

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

In October, 1980, the Polish government recognized Solidarnosc. But just over a year later, the government declared Martial Law. Solidarnosc was outlawed, and leaders including Walesa were arrested and jailed.

Outside the Iron Curtain, the Polish workers' movement inspired the world.

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

Fearing a general strike, the Polish government conceded.

Polish workers acted quickly. Ten million workers and farmers began organizing unions. To harness collective power, Walesa helped form Solidarnosc (Polish for "solidarity"), a national federation of unions.

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

Walesa climbed the fence to join them, and the workers quickly asked him to help lead the strike committee. Word spread. Walesa helped coordinate strikes at more than 20 plants across the region. The workers demanded new freedoms, including the right to form trade unions and strike.

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

Through the 1970s, Walesa led dissident activities. His activism cost him jobs, and he was under constant surveillance by Poland's secret police.

In August, 1980, the government announced a hike on food prices. Workers at the Lenin Shipyard went on strike.

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

Poland was under Soviet rule when Lech Walesa began work as an electrician at the Lenin Shipyard in Gdansk in 1967. Unions were banned, the government controlled working conditions and wages, and workers had little freedom. 🧵 #unionhistory #laborhistory #1u

Photo of Polish workers raising their arms with a two-finger salute under a banner that reads "solidarnosc."

Text features a quote from Lech Walesa that reads "It is hardly possible to build anything if frustration, bitterness and a mood of helplessness prevail."

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San Diego & Imperial Counties Labor Council, AFL-CIO @sdiclaborcouncil.bsky.social · 8d

Over the years, umpires have continued to organize, bargain and fight for a fair share of the value they create for one of the world's biggest and most profitable sports leagues.

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San Diego & Imperial Counties Labor Council, AFL-CIO @sdiclaborcouncil.bsky.social · 8d

Union workers at Pittsburgh's Three Rivers Stadium refused to cross the picket line, standing in solidarity and demonstrating the power of a united working class. It only took one day. Owners caved, negotiating minimum salaries, improved playoff pay, and most importantly recognizing the MLUA.

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San Diego & Imperial Counties Labor Council, AFL-CIO @sdiclaborcouncil.bsky.social · 8d

But the owners still refused to recognize the union or negotiate in good faith with the umpires. Umpires called a strike, and as players prepared to take the field for the championship series, umpires walked off the job. But they didn't do it alone.

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