Connect with us

LOCAL

Celebrate, honor MLK’s pro-labor legacy

MLK-march-on-washington(Jan. 18, 2016) — The Rev. Martin Luther King, Jr. knew that the struggle for economic and social justice necessarily includes the right of workers to form unions, not only to improve their own wages and working conditions, but also to fight for the preservation of public services. That’s why celebrating MLK Day and reminding all of that message is so important for union members, especially in the context of today’s right-wing efforts to take away collective bargaining rights and weaken unions.

Here are some opportunities to do so today:

SEATTLE — The M.L. King County Labor Council, AFL-CIO urges all union members to join in the MLK Day Rally and March on Monday, Jan. 18. The rally begins at 11 a.m. at Garfield High School, 400 23rd Ave. in Seattle and the march leaves there at 12:30 p.m. Get details.

SPOKANE — The Spokane Regional Labor Council, AFL-CIO urges union members to attend the annual march commemorating Martin Luther King Jr. in Spokane will start at 10 a.m. Monday. The march begins and ends in front of the Spokane Convention Center, 334 W. Spokane Falls Blvd. After the march, a rally will be held. Get details.

TACOMA — The Pierce County Central Labor Council, AFL-CIO invites all union members to attend the City of Tacoma’s annual Martin Luther King, Jr. Celebration on Monday, Jan. 18 from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Greater Tacoma Convention and Trade Center, 1500 Broadway in Tacoma. Get details.

YAKIMA — The Yakima and South Central Counties Labor Council, AFL-CIO invites all to attend the MLK march today. Gather at 11:30 a.m. at Fifth Avenue and Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd. in Yakima. The march starts at noon and goes to the Yakima Convention Center, 10 N. Eighth St., where a community program begins at 1 p.m. Get details.

Many other MLK marches, celebrations, and opportunities to spend the day volunteering in your community are planned across the state. For more information, check your local newspaper.


 

MLK-unionsALSO at The Stand — MLK: Champion of unions, economic justice — If the Rev. Martin Luther King, Jr. were alive today, right-wing conservatives would be doing their best to brand him as a radical “socialist” who hates freedom and America. The man whose legacy we celebrate on Monday is best known for campaigning against racial discrimination and for civil rights. But one of the civil rights he passionately supported was the right of Americans to organize labor unions. Today, in Washington state and across the nation, that right is under its most serious assault since the day King was assassinated as he fought to defend it.

CHECK OUT THE UNION DIFFERENCE in Washington: higher wages, affordable health and dental care, job and retirement security.

FIND OUT HOW TO JOIN TOGETHER with your co-workers to negotiate for better wages, benefits, and a voice at work. Or go ahead and contact a union organizer today!