Workers March, Promote Working America’s Second Bill of Rights Ahead of DNC
September 5, 2012
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Charlotte, N.C. Local 379 members joined other IBEW activists in a Labor Day march ahead of the Democratic National Convention. |
On Labor Day in Charlotte, N.C., thousands of working-family advocates participated in CarolinaFest 2012 to celebrate union history and bring the message of America’s Second Bill of Rights to the public ahead of the Democratic National Convention.
The event – which featured a parade, family activities, musical guests and more – was sponsored by the DNC and served as a lead-up to the convention, which concludes Sept. 6. Unions that participated included the Communication Workers of America, the Teamsters, the United Auto Workers, the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers and more.
“It was a great event,” said IBEW Local 379 Business Manager Bob Krebs, who said there was a solid turnout from hundreds of members from area and out-of-state unions.
This was a once-in-a-lifetime event for a lot of people. To have this convention in our backyard is great.
Numerous trade unions set up vendor tents to highlight products and services offered by their members. Another tent served as base camp for activists promoting and gathering signatures for America’s Second Bill of Rights – a document calling for economic and social justice that was debuted at the Workers Stand for America rally on Aug. 11 in Philadelphia. The bill calls for the rights to: full employment and a living wage; full participation in the electoral process; a voice at work; a quality education; and a secure, healthy future. Nearly 50,000 had already signed the document prior to CarolinaFest, and activists gathered hundreds more signatures in Charlotte.
Krebs said that the event offered an opportunity for members to show their union pride while stressing the need for real economic solutions from politicians.
“The workers’ bill of rights goes back to our principles – not just what we want as unionists, but for the rest of America,” he said:
We need to make people aware of why these rights are important. Things like the right to a voice at work ought to be common sense.
We’re making politicians aware of our needs. And we need to show them that we’re planning to hold them accountable if they want our support at the ballot box.
Workers Stand for America organizers said their presence at the DNC was a continuation of the rally in Philadelphia. Organizers say elected leaders need to be on the side of working families and they offered appreciation for the Democratic Party’s support of America’s Second Bill of Rights. The five aspects of the document will be included in the party’s official platform.
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