Jersey City: The labor movement has improved working conditions, has created workplace democracy, and has fostered active participation in labor-management decision-making. The many benefits, protections and rights that workers enjoy today would never have existed if it weren’t for the laudable efforts of labor unions. There have been initiatives designed to degrade labor standards, weaken unions and erode workplace protections. Those efforts would have diminished the bargaining power and political influence of organized labor.
Bronx: The latest Republican gripe centers around new funding for the Internal Revenue Service in the reconciliation bill passed by Democrats. Republicans have claimed that 87,000 armed agents will be hired to harass middle-class Americans and small businesses. On Fox News, Sen. Chuck Grassley stated: “Are they going to have a strike force that goes in with AK-15s already loaded, ready to shoot some small businessperson in Iowa with these?”
Courtenay, British Columbia: I am a 58-year-old gardener. My Ukrainian grandmother came here with her parents to escape war in Europe. My great-grandfather moved here from Poland. Today, I am ashamed of my heritage. I have just discovered how Ukrainian and Polish citizens are treating Indian and African students and other people of color who are fleeing the war.