Union Activists!
A “new and good” is that the name of my International Liberation Reference Person (ILRP) job has changed! I am now the ILRP for Union Activists instead of for Trade Unionists.
The reason for the change is that many workers who are active in their unions do not identify as trade unionists. They think that title means only workers in the trades, such as carpenters, electricians, and factory workers. Historically, at least in the United States, those workers were the foundation of the labor movement and were primarily men. At present, both women and men are represented by unions, and these people work in hospitals, schools, restaurants, and many other places, as well as in the trades.
I want all of you who are active in unions to consider yourselves part of the union activists’ constituency. I want to listen to and think with you about your work, your union, and your activism. If you are involved with your union in any way, or want to be, let’s be in contact! Also, if any of you know other RC union activists, tell them to contact me so we can get to know each other. I look forward to getting to know all of us and to putting our minds together to figure out how to move our unions toward being organizations of liberation!
Joanie Parker
International Liberation Reference Person for Union Activists
Jamaica Plain, Massachusetts, USA
Reprinted from the e-mail discussion list for RC Communication members