We declare that we — 

Will protect the rights and safety of all of our members;

Will do everything within our power to ensure the safety and security of our members regardless of immigration status;

Will not voluntarily cooperate with federal agents in the prosecution or attempted deportation of members of the National Writers Union;

Will not collect personal information from our members that may be used against them in terms of their immigration status;

Will mobilize support for Sanctuary Cities and Sanctuary Campuses;

Will commit to holding Know Your Rights trainings and sharing legal resources with our members;

Will commit to collectively bargaining new contract language that strengthens workplace protections for immigrant members;

Will support the upholding and expansion of the DACA and DAPA programs for immigrants; and

Will continue to build alliances throughout the labor movement and in our communities with others engaged in similar work to protect the undocumented, and to participate in protests in response to ICE raids or employer collaboration for the sake of union-busting.

Be it further resolved:

The National Writers Union stands in solidarity with all communities under attack, and understands that the time for unity is now, and that standing united with all workers, particularly the most vulnerable among us, will be key to beating back the attack on our unions and our standard of living in the years to come.

The post The National Writers Union declares itself a “Sanctuary Union.” first appeared on Labor Today.

Since the McCarthyite period of the 1950’s the AFL-CIO has taken an active role in regime change operations and worked with the US government in disrupting class-oriented labor movements that would prove detrimental to American business interests. From colluding with Pinochet against the Allende government in Chile, to creating the American Institute for Free Labor Development (AIFLD) to support the government’s anti-communist policies abroad, to playing an active role in the Maidan coup in Ukraine the organization has taken an active role against progressive labor movements around the globe. Working as an appendage of the ruling class for decades coupled with their role in funneling votes to Democrats to appear “pro-labor” has given the AFL-CIO no option but to tacitly endorse the actions of the Biden administration. Apart from their three-sentence statement published on October 11, 2023, the organization has ignored the burgeoning labor movement behind a call for ceasefire.

This is in stark contrast that most unions calling for a ceasefire are affiliated with the AFL-CIO. UE, SEIU, ALU and others may be in the minority but have taken a vocal stance on the issue with the UE being one of the original sponsors of the petition.

The post The Widening Split in the US Labor Movement and the AFL-CIO’s Increasing Complicity in US Imperialism first appeared on Labor Today.