Solidarity celebration for workers

As we celebrate our nation’s independence this July 4th, it’s a good time to evaluate our democracy. Unfortunately, our democracy ends for millions of Americans just as soon as they punch the time clock. At that moment we walk into a world where someone else controls the “what, where and how” of our job. Far too often in workplaces across the country, if we ask questions or suggest alternatives, we get taken to the office or shown the door.

If we try and elect representatives to get a voice in the decision-making process in our work life, management fights us tooth and claw. Why? Is it because they want all the power and money for themselves? It sure seems that they are afraid of democracy.

Today in America, millions of Americans work under “at will” conditions. This means the employer can kill the economic life of a worker at any time and for no reason at all. A fairly common policy can be found at a local fast-food chain store that requires employees to sign the following as a condition of employment: “I understand and agree that if employed, the employment will be ‘at will.’ That is, either I or [the company] may end the employment relationship at any time, for any reason, or for no reason.”

In the face of hostile management, too many workers give up. They say, “just let it go,” put up with the boss and deal with is as best they can.

However, workers at DHL effectively said “No, we have dignity and we aren’t just going to roll over. We will have a democracy, we will vote for a union and when management tries dirty tricks against us, we will fight back.” Led by the Teamsters union and joined by hundreds of workers and other unions in the Bangor area, together with farms and small businesses and elected leaders, including Gov. John Baldacci, U.S. Reps. Tom Allen and Mike Michaud, Secretary of State Matt Dunlap, state Sen. Paul Davis and many more, the DHL workers fought back and won.

Now CNAs and unit secretaries at Eastern Maine Medical Center are standing up for democracy in their workplace. They want fairness and a voice. The machinists union will give all its support to back those workers. EMMC management is beginning to engage in dirty tricks – systematically bringing workers into the office and going over their work records before talking about the union. Management has spread false information about how their pension or other benefits will be threatened if the “union comes in.”

We know better. The reality is that union pay and benefits average 25 percent better. Democracy and protection from unfair reprisal is priceless. In the machinists union, as in most unions, we workers elect our representatives – the officers, stewards and negotiating team. We also elect our business representatives. And above all, workers in a union get better pay, benefits, respect and democracy in the workplace. Simply put, a union makes life better for workers.

And why not? A 40-hour workweek represents 36 percent of our waking lives. It is time to spread our democracy not only to other countries, but right here in America to our workplace.

The democracy of our founding fathers was about both the ability to vote for something as well as the basic legal protections against reprisal. Our legal protections, such as the right to fair treatment, due process of law and innocent until proven guilty, are a cornerstone of our democracy. Only a union brings those protections into the workplace. At this point in America, it takes the support of our elected leaders, community members and other concerned organizations and individuals to give workers these rights.

The Greater Bangor Area Central Labor Council, a union of unions, will support workers who want to bring such rights into the workplace. We will continue the legacy of our ancestors and we will fight the battle of our age – one for democracy at work.

The public is invited to the fifth Annual July 4th Solidarity Celebration, sponsored by the council, together with Food AND Medicine. There will be great food, organized games for children, live music and raffle prizes. Afterward, people can watch the fireworks from Eastern Park behind the union hall, which is located at 20 Ivers St. (just off South Main Street in Brewer, behind St. Teresa’s Catholic Church).

Proceeds will benefit laid-off workers, Food AND Medicine and a new heating system for the council’s Solidarity Community Center.

For more information, please call 989-4141 or visit our Web site at www.gbaclc.org.

Kendal Dunbar is vice president of the Greater Bangor Area Central Labor Council and president of Machinists Local 1821 (International Paper, Bucksport, Castine Municipal Employees, Sodexho USA at Maine Maritime Academy, REM Safety Supply).