Local 727 Marches for Workers’ Rights on May Day, 2017
Despite the dreary weather, the staff and members of Teamsters Local 727 came out in full force to celebrate International Workers’ Day, May 1, 2017. James Wright, a member who works for Buddy’s Parking, was even interviewed by WGN-TV.
The rally was a festive occasion marked by lots of dancing, singing and chanting, and attended by folks young and old from a variety of cultural backgrounds. The rich and colorful tapestry of people that comprise Chicago was on full display.
Of course, the focus of the rally and march from Union Park to the Daley Center in downtown Chicago was to make it clear that we are united in protecting communities that are under attack by the Trump administration, as well as to highlight the need to:
- Defend workers’ right to organize, unionize and to earn a living wage;
- Stop the criminalization, mass incarceration and deportation of Black, Latino, migrant, Arab, Muslim, and communities of color;
- Defend the rights of women, people with disabilities, and LGBTQ people;
- Act on climate change, to create jobs and economic opportunities in the migrant, poor, and communities of color that are disproportionately threatened by pollution and climate change;
- Defend and fully fund public services, including public education, transportation and health care.
“We had a wonderful time and are honored to have participated in this momentous event,” said John Coli Jr., President of Local 727. “Thousands of people from all walks of life came out to tell our elected officials that we will not stand for the mistreatment of workers, immigrants and anyone else trying to earn a decent wage and make a better life for themselves and their families here in the United States.”
Category: Union News
