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Displaying 10 of 39 Total Records
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22 Sep
2014

The Long, Powerful History Between Labor and LGBT Activists

Woven throughout the history of the LGBT civil rights movement, the support of organized labor has been the thread that ties it all together. For nearly a century, LGBT activists and the labor movement have built a worldwide relationship based on shared struggles, similar goals, and common values. The premiere of the British movie Pride — about London LGBT activists who came to the rescue for Welsh mine workers’ families during a long strike — provides a great time to remind our community that this is but one story in an ongoing history between labor and LGBT people.

When it comes to fighting for the right to have a decent-paying job free from discrimination and undue hardship, American LGBT workers has no longer-term ally than organized labor. But today, in a time of unprecedented support for LGBT relationships and civil rights, labor is under constant assault while the LGBT community remains largely silent as our oldest friend’s rights are systematically eroded.

Our common struggle with the labor movement goes back to at least the 1930s, when the National Union of Marine Cooks and Stewards elected Stephen Blair, an openly gay man, as its vice president. The union was derided as, “red, black, and queer” for its strong liberal views and embrace of minority rights. Blair’s life partner, Frank McCormick, was a vice president of the California Congress of Industrial Organizations and was instrumental during the West Coast longshoremen’s strike in 1934, which led to to the unionization of every port on the west coast.

Continuing into the ’40s, Harry Hay, a longshoreman from the Bay Area in California, founded the Mattachine Society in 1948. Hay used the knowledge and skills he gained as a union organizer to put the group on the map and drive its success. Incidentally, in the 1970s, Hay founded the Radical Faeries movement, which still exists today.

In the mid-1970s, Harvey Milk and the Teamsters banded together for the Coors beer boycotts and Harvey’s successful bid for San Francisco supervisor. At that point, labor and LGBT activists had already shared 40 years of history, but Harvey and the Teamsters took our shared struggle to the next level by creating a political movement that showed how our power multiplies if we band together and organize.

The Labor + LGBT powerhouse repeated this success when they worked together in 1978 to defeat the Briggs Initiative, which sought to bar gay people from teaching in California public schools. Shortly after, in 1979, the AFL-CIO, the nation’s largest federation of labor unions, made its first call for a federal law banning discrimination based on sexual orientation.

For almost 40 years, union contracts have included discrimination protections for LGBT workers and today, because there is no federal nondiscrimination law on the books, a union contract is still the only legally enforceable protection available to LGBT people in most states. Labor remains one of the strongest voices pushing for a federal law to ban employment discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation and gender identity.

Workers in unions make, on average, 30 percent more than non-union workers and are 59 percent more likely to have employer-provided health care. The gender pay gap is significantly lower for women who are members of unions. LGBT workers also enjoy better pay and benefits in union workplaces in addition to the added discrimination protections inherent in every union contract. In a time when the average pay of a CEO has gone from 48 times that of the average worker in 1980 to 331 times that of the average worker today, these differences matter greatly.

With all of that shared history and collaboration, one might think that the relationship between LGBT people and labor would be unbreakable. Sadly, many in LGBT people don’t realize that labor is our most enduring and hardworking ally, let alone that labor is in a fight for its very existence.

The cause of labor is the cause of every LGBT person. Our shared struggle is one of the most critical movements in America today. The right to work, get paid a living wage, and share in the fruits of your labor is being eroded week by week. Collective bargaining is the only tool in our tool belt that allows us to push back against this tide of income inequality and demand our fair share of the economic pie.

From union-busting corporations to state legislative efforts to dismantle workers’ rights, America’s unions have never faced attacks from so many angles at once. Far too often, the LGBT community turns a blind eye to these struggles. In Wisconsin, during the attempts to break up the state employees’ union, the LGBT presence was minimal and few national LGBT organizations spoke out. In the current fight to break up teachers unions, the silence is deafening. Labor unions were right there beside us heralding the triumph of the Windsor decision that overturned part of the Defense of Marriage Act and has long called for the law to be repealed, but when the Harris v. Quinn decision delivered another blow to unions, only one LGBT organization bothered to issue a statement.

During the summer of 1984, LGBT activists in the United Kingdom came together to make sure the families of striking workers didn’t go hungry and could pay their bills while they fought for better working conditions. Thirty years later, American LGBT activists ignore the struggles of working men and women — including LGBT workers who are benefitting from their union membership. We demand passage of employment protections for our community but ignore the larger picture that would benefit all American workers.

Time and again, state by state, as lawmakers and corporations have colluded to erode labor rights, the LGBT community has turned its head and looked the other way. If we cannot stand in solidarity with one of our oldest supporters, what is the message we are sending to the myriad allies we’re creating today?

Are we simply opportunistic friends whose relationship depends on what the other side has to offer and nothing more? Solidarity isn’t transactional, it’s transformational. “An injury to one is an injury to all” is more than just a slogan for the labor movement; it’s a rallying cry for the core principle that underlies everything for which unions stand.

We should adopt it as our own.

JERAME DAVIS is the interim executive director of Pride at Work, an LGBT constituency group of organized labor.

17 Sep
2014

Detroit News: Unions lead the way on equality in Michigan

Last month, the Michigan AFL-CIO co-sponsored the 25th anniversary Michigan Pride rally at the state capitol, standing up for the rights of our state’s lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender community. It was a great celebration, with a lot of good discussion about the need to amend Michigan’s Elliott-Larsen Civil Rights Act.

Under current law, no one can be fired, denied housing or any public accommodation because of race, gender, religion or ethnicity, among other characteristics. But it’s legal, in most Michigan jurisdictions, to fire a person or evict someone simply because of his or her sexual orientation or gender identity.

It’s beyond obvious that a person’s private life has nothing to do with their ability to be a productive employee, a good tenant or to enjoy any other civil right. So it’s good news that the Legislature is considering proposals to add protections for LGBT citizens to Michigan law.

Similar legislation has been introduced before. This time, however, a significant sector of Michigan’s business community is backing the idea. Under the banner of the Michigan Competitive Workforce Coalition, many of Michigan’s top corporate leaders are saying that discrimination in any form is bad for business.

I don’t always agree with corporate executives. But in this case, I couldn’t agree more. Discrimination is not only unfair and un-American, it’s anti-competitive. It costs companies real money when they reject the talents of a potential worker just because he or she is gay, a person of color, or from a different country.

In fact, it’s working people and our unions who make our economy more competitive and more consistent with American values by fighting against discrimination in all its ugly forms. In 1975, members of the American Federation of Teachers (AFT) at the University of Michigan negotiated a contract clause preventing discrimination against gay and lesbian employees.

Members of the United Food and Commercial Workers have added similar language to their contracts in Michigan, as did the United Auto Workers during 1999 negotiations with Chrysler, Ford and General Motors. And members of the Michigan Education Association now have inclusive non-discrimination clauses in more than 100 contracts across the state of Michigan.

Union members have a long record of moving faster and more effectively than business and political leaders on these issues. Civil rights for women and people of color didn’t become the law of the land until the 1960s. But non-discrimination clauses — with real enforcement — were a standard feature of union contracts for many years beforehand.

Equality under the law is essential. But it’s also worth remembering that in the workplace — where most of us spend a good chunk of our waking hours — there’s no better tool for fighting discrimination than a good union contract, a strong grievance procedure, and active members who support one another.

As a union member, I’m proud our labor movement is standing up for justice for LGBT citizens. As a Michigander, I’ll be proud when our entire state does the same. And I’m happy to work with labor, business, Republicans and Democrats to make it happen.

Labor Voices

Labor Voices columns are written on a rotating basis by United Auto Workers President Dennis Williams, Teamsters President James Hoffa, Michigan AFL-CIO President Karla Swift and Michigan Education Association President Steven Cook.

Karla Swift is president of the Michigan AFL-CIO.

http://www.detroitnews.com/article/20140917/OPINION01/309170004/Unions-lead-way-equality-Michigan

11 Sep
2014

UFCW OUTreach Stands in Solidarity with the United Latinos

Kessler MaturinoUFCW OUTreach was proud to stand in solidarity with the United Latinos at their 2014 Education Conference. We have a shared agenda of:

Strong Unions
Good Wages & Benefits
Safe Workplaces
Comprehensive Immigration Reform
Employment Non-Discrimination

Together, we will fight for contracts and laws that treat all workers with dignity and respect regardless of age, race, gender, creed, color, sexual orientation, or gender identity.

UFCW OUTreach is a constituency group dedicated to building mutual support between our union’s International, regions, and locals and the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender (LGBT) community and their allies in order to come together to organize for social and economic justice for all. Equality, education, understanding, and solidarity are our mission.

17 Jun
2014

UFCW President Hansen Statement on Executive Order Protecting LGBT Workers from Discrimination

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Joe Hansen, International President of the United Food and Commercial Workers International Union (UFCW), today released the following statement in response to reports that President Obama plans to sign an executive order banning federal contractors from discriminating against workers on the basis of sexual orientation or gender identity.

“Denying someone a job or a promotion because of who they are runs counter to the American values of equality and opportunity. Yet in more than half of all states, Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender (LGBT) workers can be targeted based solely on their sexual orientation or gender identity.

“An executive order banning federal contractors from this type of discrimination is a step in the right direction and could benefit as many as 16 million workers. But tens of millions of others still need the protections that can only come with adoption of the Employment Non-Discrimination Act (ENDA), which passed the Senate on a strong bipartisan basis.

“At the UFCW, we have long been proud to have nondiscrimination language in our contracts. It is time for the law to catch up. The President is poised to act. The House should follow suit.”

###

The United Food and Commercial Workers International Union (UFCW) represents more than 1.3 million workers, primarily in the retail and meatpacking, food processing and poultry industries. The UFCW protects the rights of workers and strengthens America’s middle class by fighting for health care reform, living wages, retirement security, safe working conditions and the right to unionize so that working men and women and their families can realize the American Dream. For more information about the UFCW’s effort to protect workers’ rights and strengthen America’s middle class, visit www.ufcw.org, or join our online community at www.facebook.com/UFCWinternational and www.twitter.com/ufcw.

 

12 Jun
2014

119 Members of Congress Call on United States to End Trade Negotiations with Brunei

WASHINGTON, D.C.—U.S. Reps. Mark Pocan (D-WI), Ileana Ros-Lehtinen (R-FL), Rosa DeLauro (D-CT), Louise Slaughter (D-NY), and Henry Waxman (D-CA), along with 114 of their House colleagues, today sent a letter to Secretary of State John Kerry and United States Trade Representative Michael Froman insisting the United States stop any further negotiations with the government of Brunei Darussalam on the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) trade agreement until Brunei addresses its human rights violations – part of its newly adopted a penal code.

The letter joins a growing coalition of groups that have called on the United States to stop trade negotiations until Brunei revokes its inhumane criminal code.

Full text of the letter is available here.

4 Jun
2014

LGBT Pride Month Toolkit

UFCW Pride OUTreach FBOn June 28, 1969, members of the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender (LGBT) community fought back against police brutality at a New York City gay bar called the Stonewall Inn. Known as the Stonewall riots, this marked the beginning of the modern day LGBT rights movement.

In commemoration of the historic Stonewall riots, June is now commonly recognized as LGBT Pride Month. Keep an eye out throughout the month for locals who will be holding events to celebrate the LGBT community.

This LGBT Pride Month, there is much to celebrate. Oregon and Pennsylvania recently became the 18thand 19th states to recognize marriage equality. The U.S. Senate passed legislation banning employment discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation and gender identity by a wide, bipartisan margin. Finally, the UFCW formed its first ever LGBT constituency group—OUTreach. OUTreach will have a presence at World Pride in Toronto, Canada from June 27-29, 2014.

Still, there is much more to be done. It remains too easy to fire an LGBT worker without cause. Millions of same-sex couples do not have the legal rights as their opposite-sex counterparts. Transgender equality is lagging behind. Our broken immigration system is failing the LGBT community and tearing families apart. And the bullying epidemic is putting too many young people at risk.

Working in partnership with OUTreach, UFCW Locals are committed to leveling the playing field in our contracts and our laws. More than that, we are dedicated to winning hearts and minds. Let’s celebrate LGBT Pride Month by doing what we do best—fighting for fairness, justice, and equality.

Download The Toolkit Materials

  • UFCW Pride 2014 Handout
  • UFCW Pride OUTreach 8.5×11 Sign
  • UFCW Pride OUTreach FB
  • UFCW Pride Sample Newsletter
  • UFCW Pride Tool Kit Flyer Masthead

22 Apr
2014

Join UFCW OUTreach at World Pride 2014 in Toronto

World Pride 2014 FlyerShow your UFCW Union pride with us this year in Toronto at World Pride!

The weekend kicks off with a special event, hosted by UFCW Canada on Saturday, June 28, 2014 from 10 a.m.–4 p.m. at the Sheraton Centre Hotel in the Civic Ballroom and Foyer.

The World Pride Parade will be on Sunday, June 29 at 1pm starting at Bloor Street East at Church Street.

For more information about these events, and for a downloadable breakroom flyer, click here.

6 Apr
2014

UFCW Featured at Gay and Lesbian Victory Fund Event

Powell Victory FundToday a contingent from UFCW OUTreach attended the Gay and Lesbian Victory Fund annual champagne brunch in Washington D.C.

The UFCW was the first ever labor union to be a cosponsor of the event. Many of the speakers recognized and thanked the UFCW for its support.

International Vice President Steve Powell gave a great speech about the need for the labor and LGBT movements to work together.

“Our movements are fighting for the same things: equality, fairness, respect, and dignity,” he said.

He spoke of former Vice President Bill Olwell and the impact he was able to make by being out and proud.

It was a proud day for OUTreach and the entire UFCW.

6 Mar
2014

UFCW OUTreach Holds Board Meeting in Washington D.C.

Outreach PocanOver the last two days, UFCW OUTreach held its second board meeting in Washington D.C.

The meeting included a busy and informative agenda.

On the first day, the group heard from Shane Larson, Co-President of Pride at Work who talked about the shared history of the labor and LGBT movements. He was followed by Sarah Reece of the Gay & Lesbian Taskforce who highlighted some of the pro-equality field work happening across the United States.

Members then had lunch with Congressman Mark Pocan (D-WI), a member of the LGBT Equality Caucus and Co-Chair of the DCCC Labor Council. He talked about his commitment to passing the Employment Non-Discrimination Act (ENDA), which would ban employment discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation and gender identity.

After lunch, the group heard from Jason Burns of the Victory Fund who gave an overview of openly LGBT candidates that are running for office in 2014. Finally, Pride at Work Executive Director Darren Phelps offered guidance on creating LGBT education workshops for local unions.

On the second day,  board member Emmanuelle Lopez gave a presentation about World Pride in Toronto, Ontario. UFCW OUTreach plans to participate in the festivities this June.

The next board meeting is planned for June 27 in Toronto.             

26 Feb
2014

UFCW President Hansen Statement on Arizona Discrimination Bill

SB 1062 VetoWASHINGTON, D.C. — Joe Hansen, International President of the United Food and Commercial Workers International Union (UFCW), today released the following statement opposing Arizona Senate Bill 1062.

“I urge Governor Jan Brewer to veto SB 1062. It is nothing more than a hate bill passed under the guise of protecting religious freedom. The legislation was drafted so broadly as to allow discrimination against nearly any Arizonan on religious grounds. But make no mistake—its target is members of the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender (LGBT) community. At a time when LGBT equality is advancing on several fronts, the Arizona legislature is seeking to relegate some of its citizens to second-class status. This is both shameful and unconstitutional. There is significant and growing momentum for equality across America on everything from employment nondiscrimination to the freedom to marry. Those who want to stop this momentum and protect the status quo are desperately trying to fight back. That is what SB 1062 and similar efforts are all about. At the UFCW, we have always been on the side of equality, both in our contracts and the law. We stand with business, labor, Republicans, and Democrats in calling for SB 1062 to be vetoed.”

###

The United Food and Commercial Workers International Union (UFCW) represents more than 1.3 million workers, primarily in the retail and meatpacking, food processing and poultry industries. The UFCW protects the rights of workers and strengthens America’s middle class by fighting for health care reform, living wages, retirement security, safe working conditions and the right to unionize so that working men and women and their families can realize the American Dream. For more information about the UFCW’s effort to protect workers’ rights and strengthen America’s middle class, visit www.ufcw.org, or join our online community at www.facebook.com/UFCWinternational and www.twitter.com/ufcw.

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2014 Pride Toolkit

  • UFCW Pride 2014 Handout
  • UFCW Pride OUTreach 8.5×11 Sign
  • UFCW Pride OUTreach FB
  • UFCW Pride Sample Newsletter
  • UFCW Pride Tool Kit Flyer Masthead

© 2019 UFCW OUTReach.

All rights reserved.

About

UFCW OUTreach is a constituency group dedicated to building mutual support between our union’s International, regions, and locals and the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender (LGBT) community and their allies in order to come together to organize for social and economic justice for all, regardless of age, race, gender, creed, color, sexual orientation, or gender identity. Together, we will ensure full equality for LGBT workers on their jobs and in their unions.

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