pdf Retiree News & View - July/August 2018(1006 KB)
“When the union’s inspiration thru the worker’s blood shall run,
there can be no power greater anywhere beneath the sun,
yet what force on earth is weaker than the feeble strength of one,
but the union makes us strong. Solidarity forever, solidarity forever,
solidarity forever, for the union makes us strong.
They have taken untold millions that thy never toiled to earn,
But without our brain and muscle not a single wheel could turn.
We can break their haughty power and gain our freedom when we learn
That the union makes us strong.
In our hands is placed a power greater than their hoarded gold,
Greater than the might of armies magnified a hundred fold.
We can bring to earth a new world from the ashes of old,
For the union makes us strong.”
Even though Ralph Chaplin wrote the song, “Solidarity Forever” in 1915 for the Industrial Workers of World War I, its message is as relevant and important today as it was more than 100 years ago. And, Local 237 retirees continually show their understanding and support of the sentiments expressed in the song through their activism. Their unwavering adherence to our motto: “retired from work not the union” also underscores the opinion of another great advocate of labor unions, President John F. Kennedy, who said: “Our labor unions are not narrow, self-seeking groups. They have raised wages, shortened hours and provided supplemental benefits. Through collective bargaining and grievance procedures, they have brought justice and democracy to the shop floor.”
We recently celebrated Labor Day with a parade along Fifth Avenue. As always, Local 237 retirees participated with enthusiasm demonstrating solidarity with their union brothers and sisters. But we know that in this political climate, parades are not enough. Teamsters Local 237 President, Gregory Floyd, delivered that message as the keynote speaker at the annual conference of the Texas Teamster’s Black Caucus. “Today, in America, union membership is an endangered species. But, unlike pandas or dolphins, union members still have opportunity and resources to fight back. I say this, standing in a state with union membership at only 4.7% and where, for 6 decades, the falsely named, ‘Right to Work Law’ has been in effect, making it one of the first in the nation. Luckily, in my home state of New York, where we have the highest percentage of union workers in the nation—we’re at 25%--our Governor, Andrew Cuomo, took pre-emptive measures way back in April, before the Janus decision became a reality, and signed into law safeguards to lessen the blow from the Supreme Court’s disastrous, anti-union vote. Makes you think, why is there such a difference in attitude toward unions among the states? I think it boils down to this: Labor leaders in New York have made it crystal clear to our elected officials and wanna-bees, that we are not the enemy! We use every opportunity to remind them that union workers built the middle class in America. We just want to make sure that there will be a place in it for our own children and grandchildren. Plus, we still have a powerful voice and millions of votes. That always seems to get their attention! And one additional thing: There is a sense that whether we’re in public or private unions, it doesn’t matter, we’re all in the same family. An assault on one is an assault on all of us, although public sector unions like Local 237 are more directly affected by the Janus decision. We also had a recent drive in New York to convene a Constitutional Convention, which would have had a devastating effect on public sector pensions and other benefits the Constitution guaranteed. But the proposal was overwhelmingly defeated because all unions got together to defeat it. We also sought and received the help of non-union groups who saw the push to lessen the role of labor unions for what it really is: An assault on democracy perpetrated by the special interests of the well-funded corporate 1%. So, here’s my message to you: Extinction is forever. But, if we remain united and focused, we can avoid the fate of the once powerful dinosaur. As union members, now is the time that we must stand our ground and fight back or we will wind up in the museum, just like him.”
