Robert Reich: The next Civil Rights struggle

[LongTomH]

From Prof. Reich's Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/

I'm in New York, working with a group of students who will soon head into the American heartland to help organize Walmart workers for better jobs and wages. Almost exactly fifty years ago a similar group headed to Mississippi to register African-Americans to vote, in what came to be known as "Freedom Summer."

That civil rights struggle is echoed in the current struggle of low-wage workers across America-- who are denied the dignity of decent wages and working conditions, threatened and intimidated for exercising their legal rights, and treated as voiceless and disposable. And although Walmart is no Bull Connor, it's the poster child for keeping low-wage workers down. America’s largest employer refuses to provide a living wage, won’t allow workers to organize, stands accused by the NLRB of unlawfully threatening or retaliating against workers who have taken part in strikes and protests, and has a long record of labor law violations and abuses. It can certainly afford to give its workers a raise. Walmart is under the control of the Walton family, whose combined wealth is greater than the combined wealth of the bottom 35 percent of the entire American population.

It took guts to take on the power structure of Mississippi a half century ago. It takes guts to take on the power structure of Walmart now. But confronting such powerful bastions is a step toward fundamental social change. Please join me in wishing these young people well.

[daleanime]

1. K&R....

[Dawson Leery]

2. kick

[bananas]

3. Glad to hear about this. Good luck to the students! k&r nt