Saunders Calls on Labor and Civil Rights Groups to ‘Join Together Like Never Before’

by Jon Melegrito  |  April 12, 2012

Sec.-Treas. Lee Saunders spoke about workers’ rights during a panel discussion at the National Action Network’s national convention. (Photo courtesy C-SPAN)

Recalling the struggle for workers’ rights in Wisconsin in the 1930s and the Memphis sanitation workers’ strike in 1968, AFSCME Sec.-Treas. Lee Saunders says “we’re still fighting that battle” for justice today. That’s the reason, he adds, why “we must build a Main Street movement” that brings together labor and civil rights groups joining “together like never before.”

Saunders made the comments during a panel discussion on “Labor: American Jobs Act & Collective Bargaining” at the National Action Network’s national convention in Washington, DC. The panel featured leaders from other national labor organizations, including the American Federation of Teachers, International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers, Service Employees International Union, and Communications Workers of America.

All agreed that forging strong coalitions will ensure that the interests of the 99 percent are not trampled by those who resort to voter suppression and anti-worker legislation.

“Our democracy is being challenged,” Saunders said. “We’ve got to say no to the 1 percent and fight back. If we do it 24/7, we can win the 2012 election. But it requires all of us dedicating ourselves to this struggle.”

The four-day event, which opened yesterday, honors the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. and features national leadership in civil rights, education, faith-based communities, labor and politics.

The National Action Network is headed by civil rights leader Rev. Al Sharpton.

For an excerpt of the panel discussion, click here to watch.