Protect Public Sector Employment and Union Jobs

Published July 16, 2022

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. String of union wins for Starbucks workers
Since the workers at a Buffalo-area Starbucks voted to form a union on December 9 and became at the time only one of the nearly 9,000 company-owned stores in the United States to be organized, there has been a growing social movement of Starbucks workers organizing unions. (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. Put pressure on Senators to pass the PRO Act

The Protecting the Right to Organize will help enact old labor laws in which workers will be given more power in the workforce. Support the PRO Act by pressuring Senators to pass it. (Read more)

e. Presidential Task Force on Worker Organizing and Empowerment

On February 7th, 2022, the Biden Administration’s Task Force on Worker Organizing and Empowerment created recommendations for federal workers and workers of federal contractors to unionize. (Read More)

Action Steps – Pro Act

  1. Write to your senators to fight for the PRO Act. Click here
  2. Send a letter to your senator to save the postal service

Additional Materials

  1. Read about the previous postal service article.here
  2. Read about the previous campaign to pass the PRO Act here.