Rick and Becky, In 1989, I organized the Pittston Coal strike with the United Mine Workers. Tens of thousands of Americans participated in the strike, which lasted for 10 months and took a real toll on all of us miners and our families. In the end, we won and got to keep the benefits we had earned in the mines. In 2014, we’re fighting a fight that reminds me of that Pittston strike. Millions of us have stood up for a commonsense immigration process. Just like in 1989, the “bosses” have done everything they can to stall and tell us they can’t end the immoral swell of nearly 2 million deportations or pass a bill that gives 11 million aspiring Americans a road map to citizenship. Republican “bosses” continue to make excuses for their inaction, but there’s a rare legislative procedure that allows popular bills, like immigration reform, to be brought to the floor through the sheer will of the majority. It’s called the discharge petition, and Democrats already have introduced it in the House—and we’re ready to do what it takes to make sure Republicans sign on. Can you email your representative to ask him or her to sign the discharge petition now? A reporter once asked me how long we could hold out on that strike. My answer? “One day longer than the Pittston company.” And that’s what I want to tell all of you now. On immigration reform, we’re going to hold out one day longer than our opponents. And just like back then, we won’t hold back, and we’re in this fight until we win. When we sat in at the mines during the Pittston strike, we were saying we wouldn’t back down. We earned the benefits we were fighting for every day that we went down to the mines and put in a hard day’s work. No matter where they come from, our brothers and sisters deserve fair wages and protection from bosses who would exploit their immigration status by paying them less than they deserve. And we know every worker would benefit from fixing this mismanaged and broken system. Regardless of how long your family has been here, we all know what hard work means. It means sacrifices for the folks you love. And it means supporting each other through the tough times. Brothers and sisters, I am doing everything I can to speak up for our new American workers. We can’t wait for Congress on this one, we have to push them now: go.aflcio.org/wecantwait In Solidarity, Rich -- Richard Trumka President, AFL-CIO
Posted on: Wed, 02 Apr 2014 10:28:56 +0000