AFL-CIO Leaders Speak on Juneteenth
Editorial StaffThe Facts -
-
- The AFL-CIO reaffirms its commitment to racial justice and equity in the labor movement.
-
- Economic disparities for Black Americans are still prevalent, including wage disparity and housing discrimination.
-
- The labor movement and the civil rights movement are intertwined, and collective bargaining can ensure racial equity and fairness at work.
AFL-CIO Commemorates Juneteenth
The AFL-CIO leadership, President Liz Shuler and Secretary-Treasurer Fred Redmond, issued a statement in honor of Juneteenth. They highlighted the key role Black workers have played in America's labor movement and reiterated their commitment to racial justice and equity in the workplace.
As the nation reflects on the liberation of formerly enslaved Black individuals, the AFL-CIO stands firm in its goal to eradicate systemic racism against Black community members in all areas of life. Economic disparities persist, with the modern-day economy continuing to exploit Black labor and maintain wage disparities while obstructing Black workers from accessing quality jobs.
The AFL-CIO statement also underscored the persistent inequality in homeownership rates between Black and white families, which is higher now than during the era of legal housing discrimination. Environmental racism and education disparities, such as polluted neighborhoods and disproportionate student loan debt for Black students, were also highlighted.
The statement emphasized the intertwined nature of the Civil Rights Movement and the labor movement, as illustrated by Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.'s beliefs. Collective bargaining was stressed as a critical tool for ensuring racial equity and fairness at work. A union contract can guarantee inclusivity, diversity, equity in hiring, payment, and advancement opportunities, and facilitate skill development for current and future jobs.
The AFL-CIO will continue its fight to ensure every worker's right to collectively bargain for a better life. The statement ended with well wishes for a joyful Juneteenth and a pledge of solidarity in the battle for a more perfect union.
---
Read More USA Works News
