History Proves Link Between Good, Union Jobs and Strong Communities

CWA's Rosen at Cleveland City Club:  

CWA District 4 VP Seth Rosen speaks to the Cleveland City Club.

In a powerful speech to the Cleveland City Club last Friday, CWA District 4 Vice President Seth Rosen drew on America's history to illustrate how workers' rights are fundamentally linked to good jobs and strong communities.

"For most of its 200-year history, Ohio and America grew together," Rosen told 150 people at the City Club and thousands more listening via TV, radio and the Internet. "Ohio was a place that people would move to in order to find good jobs and strong communities. A strong middle class with good union jobs supported the kinds of services that make a strong community — fire, police, schools, hospitals, libraries, parks, and more. In turn, these strong communities provided the market places where people bought the goods and services that led to good jobs."

Rosen recalled his two immigrant grandfathers telling him how their garment industry unions "lifted them out of poverty, created a safer work environment, and provided them with dignity and a voice at work."

A century later, Ohio Gov. John Kasich wants to bar public workers from bargaining over anything, even life-and-death issues. "For example, police will be banned from asking for bulletproof vests to protect themselves," Rosen said of the bill, passed by the Ohio Senate last week. "Bus drivers will not be allowed to speak out for the need to replace worn tires, frayed windshield wipers, or squeaky brakes."

Rosen urged people to join the coalition that he and CWA helped launch recently, Stand Up for Ohio: Good Jobs and Strong Communities. Bringing together unions, civil rights and faith groups, community organizations and other allies, the coalition is fighting for workers' rights, against deep budget cuts and for many other issues "that affect our jobs, communities, schools, health, and happiness," he said. "We can't look at these issues separately and expect everyone to work together." Find the coalition on Facebook.

Click here to watch Rosen's speech on YouTube. You can also read it here.