Protect Public Sector Employment and Union Jobs
As a result of union organizing, public sector employment has raised the bar on wages, benefits, and enforcement of anti-discrimination laws to create an integrated workforce. During the 2008 economic recession, the budget crises in state and local governments allowed employers to lay off public sector employees, and slash wages, benefits, and pensions, which disproportionately impacted African American and Latino workers. During the current economic recovery period, those workers are not being recalled for political reasons and to reduce wage competition in the private sector.
a. Campaign to Stop the Use of Welfare-to-Work Programs to Displace Public Sector Jobs
Counties are using welfare-to-work program participants to do the work of laid off public sector employees. Not only does this prevent the recall of laid off employees, but it also eliminates permanent civil service positions and opportunities for long-term employment for welfare-to-work participants. (Read more)
b. Campaign to Save the U.S. Postal Service
As a result of the current COVID-19 crisis, the USPS is in danger of bankruptcy. With the stall of the economy, reduction in mail volume and growing attacks made by the Trump Administration, the Postal Service could soon be wiped out financially. (Read more)
c. Fight for $15 and the Right to a Union Without Retaliation
Fast food workers have inspired a movement around the globe by demanding $15 per hour from McDonalds, Burger King, Wendy’s, KFC, and other fast food restaurants.(Read more)
d. The Pro Act
The San Francisco Living Wage Coalition stands in support of the Protecting the Right to Organize Act, or the PRO Act. The PRO Act restores fairness to the economy by strengthening the federal laws that protect workers’ right to join a union which in turn results in better pay and working conditions. In 1956, and up through the 70’s, a third of all American workers were union members, but that number has decreased sharply to only 10 percent of American workers today due to weak labor laws that allow companies to violate their workers’ right to organize a union. (Read more)