"We believe in the power of the people - the multi-racial working class"

Submitted by AWL on 3 November, 2020 - 10:17
Chicago teachers on strike

The following statement has been issued by eight Chicago-area unions, including the famous Chicago Teachers Union, which has a recent history of mobilising mass strikes and struggles in pursuit of not just its members' immediate interests but wider questions of social justice. For more see the CTU website.

For more on discussions about workers' action to block a Trump coup, see here.

Joint Statement of Chicago-area Labor on Protecting Our Democracy

As the elected leaders of eight Chicago-area unions, we call for every single vote to be counted and for the final results of the 2020 Presidential election to be respected. We stand firmly in opposition to any effort to subvert, distort, misrepresent or disregard the final outcome. We invite our fellow members of the labor movement to join us in defense of these democratic rights.

We believe that the labor movement has an essential role in demanding and defending democracy. We believe in the power of the people — the multi-racial, working-class majority — and we are ready to defend our right to a free and fair election and a peaceful transition of power.

Donald Trump wants to steal this election. We won’t let him, and we are prepared to engage in mass non-violent protest — up to and including a general strike of all working people, if necessary — to protect and defend our democratic rights.

We will stand up for democratic rights wherever they are at risk. We call on all unions, community, faith and civic organizations, and public leaders to unite in vigilance and readiness to defend our rights as the votes in the November 3rd election are cast and counted.

Signed:

Dian Palmer, President, SEIU Local 73
Greg Kelley, President, SEIU Healthcare Illinois Indiana Missouri and Kansas
Carl Rosen, President, United Electrical, Radio & Machine Workers of America (UE)
Jesse Sharkey, President, Chicago Teachers Union
Stacy Davis Gates, Vice President, Chicago Teachers Union
Nicole Cantello, President, AFGE Local 704
Roberto Clack, Warehouse Worker Organizing Committee
Tony Johnston, President, Cook County College Teachers Union
Fight for $15 and a Union

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