As a member of the IWW it is always interesting to me to keep up with what other unions are up to. Tonight I was witness to a wonderful show of solidarity. On a rainy Saturday night more than 400 IBEW Local 21 - Communication Workers of America (CWA) protested outside of AT&T (225 W. Randolph).
Here's a little background on the fight: The IBEW has been fighting AT&T for fair healthcare costs and employment security. The workers have been working without a contract for nearly 4 months. Despite a profit of $12.9 billion AT&T is cutting the workers' healthcare benefits and raising costs to employees. The workers paid for their helthcare benefits up front and now AT&T wants concessions on healthcare benefits in the 2009 contracts. You can read more about their fight and the many mobilazions they have organized at ibew-local 21 they also have a youtube channel you can check out here. I'm sure a lot of you have seen the truck parked across the street from 225.
Back to my report:
I showed up to 225 at around 9:00pm and was amazed to see so many people. The people I was meeting hadn't arrived yet so I spoke with a few of the workers who were walking the picket line. I explained who I was and expressed solidarity from the CCU and everyone was really thankful and happy to have the support. What really struck me was the fact that these workers didn't act like they made the choice to come out here and fight for fair contracts, it was something they just had to do. As a worker who takes pride in their job it just came naturally to fight for fair treatment. The general attitude was, this isn't right, it has to be corrected, or we won't work. Simple as that. There were workers of all ages and backgrounds fighting together. Entire families showed up to support their worker. The mood was festive but determined. Negotiations are ending at midnight tonight (6.27) and if there is no contract the workers are going to strike. These people were organized and ready to be out well into the night. They had plenty of food and water and a giant inflatable rat powered by a generator. I didn't have a camera tonight, but here is a picture from a protest at a recent shareholders meeting.
Coming home from this event I felt energized and hopeful for the CCU.
Can you imagine if the CCU had the strength and numbers to work as powerfully? One of the companies has employees working overtime with no breaks for less than minimum wage? Well then, give the employees the back-pay they deserve and pay them what they've earned, or not one package is going to be delivered in this town until the situation is rectified.
It just makes me wonder what we could accomplish if we worked a little harder, had just a few more people. I really do think that together we can fix some of the problems plauging messengers.
Have a good week everybody and if you see these workers out there please stop if you have a second and show your solidarity. These are workers just like us who are fighting a giant company that is treating them unfairly. If they do strike, I really urge everyone to show your support and not cross the picket line to deliver to 225 W. Randolph.
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