Fall 2018 Industrial Worker

Fellow Workers,

This is our time to remember.

We remember the friends and Fellow Workers we have lost. We remember our personal losses. And we remember the losses around the world—of workers lost while toiling in unsafe workplaces (though those workers and their surviving colleagues told them of the problems numerous times), and of prisoners who, while possibly imprisoned lawfully, were supposed to receive humane treatment while incarcerated.

We remember workers we may have not known, not of our union, but who worked as leaders for many of the same goals we do: "the right of ... workers to have dignity, security, and a better life."

We also remember the struggles of workers who are finally being heard and recognized for their contributions to all of us. The victory of La Via Campesina—the farm workers around the world—to have their rights recognized by the UN Human Rights groups, after so many years of being devalued and ignored, is a sweet one.

Still shouting to be heard about fair pay for the work they do and the right to work without sexual harassment are fast-food workers. They should learn from Stardust Family United, who shared the same struggles until they united with the IWW and used their strength in numbers to effect lasting changes. Perhaps soon we will be able to remember fast-food workers' struggles and celebrate their victories.

Until then, we will remember. But we will use those memories to strengthen us in our resolve to keep fighting for workers everywhere. Because as we all know, an injury to one is an injury to all.

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