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Unions play a key role in improving life for Tennessee workers
For many folks, Labor Day is often thought of as the “unofficial” end to summer. But for those of us in the labor movement, it’s a turning point in our “summer of strikes” as we head into the fall. Whether it’s Writers Guild of America (WGA) or SAG-AFTRA members walking the picket lines in Hollywood […]
Commentary: Right to Work means less freedom for workers, not more
“The only effective answer to organized greed is organized labor.” In the weeks leading up to Labor Day, I’ve found myself reflecting on this quote by Thomas Donahue, former secretary-treasurer and president of the AFL-CIO. Working people across the country, including right here in the South, have been taking this sentence and transforming it into […]
Commentary: Right to work laws and the sanctity of Tennessee’s constitution
On the same day that it joined the union nearly 225 years ago, the newly-minted state of Tennessee also adopted its first constitution. Over the course of the next century, it underwent two major revisions, one in 1834 and the second 1870. The pair of revisions addressed critical and timely issues facing the state, including […]
Commentary: Workers must vote for candidates who will strengthen rights
It goes without saying: this Labor Day is unlike any other that we’ve experienced in our lifetimes. Even though parades are postponed and large gatherings are not realistic options this year, the importance of this day cannot be emphasized enough. For nearly 130 years, Americans have celebrated the many victories and contributions that working families […]
Commentary: Pandemic reveals continued importance of manufacturing
Since its beginnings, the American economy has gone through countless changes. We’ve seen both times of prosperity and times of hardship. We’ve seen several recessions and subsequent recoveries. One of the biggest changes that we’ve seen, especially in recent years, is the shift from a manufacturing economy to a mostly service-based economy. Make no mistake, […]