Our unity carries us through uncertainty

Working families and our communities are coming together and uniting to chart our path forward after Tuesday’s election.

We are all experiencing a lot of uncertainty.

What is certain is our path forward. We need to redouble our efforts to fight for racial, immigrant, economic and social justice.

People in communities across this country have been coming together in movements and will continue to fight for a better future for our families—from the Fight for $15 and a union, to Black Lives Matter, to the fight for comprehensive immigration reform, to action on climate change. Together we have shifted our nation’s political discourse around the state of injustice and inequality in our economy and democracy.

Now our work to end discrimination based on race, sexual or gender orientation, disability or any other differences is even more important. This must continue to be a core mission within our union, the labor movement, and with our allies and communities.

Here in Washington we celebrate an important victory: more than 60% of Washington voters supported an increase in our minimum wage to $13.50 along with the passage of paid sick leave.

This means that regardless of where you live, or the color of your skin and place of origin, your gender or who you love, we are united to raise standards for all working families in our community.

This unity needs to carry us forward.

Our organizational commitment to fight for economic justice has never been more important.

Our organizational commitment to fight racism, bigotry, and hatred has never been more important.

Our organizational commitment to struggle and build unity has never been more important.

Our movements are resilient and unstoppable. Nothing will stand in our way of achieving our vision for America where all work is valued and every family in every community across this country has the opportunity to thrive.

United across workplaces and in our communities we are confident that together we can surmount seemingly impossible odds and make the impossible possible, as we have before.

 

In solidarity,

Diane Sosne, RN, MN, President

Robin Wyss, Secretary-Treasurer

Jane Hopkins, RN, Executive Vice President

Scott Canaday, Angio Tech, Harborview Medical Center, Vice President

Grace Land, Central Supply Tech, MultiCare Good Samaritan Hospital, Vice President