Labor & Employment Law

Richard Trumka: Wishing You Strength and Solidarity in 2010

By Richard L. Trumka

The holiday season is a time to step back from the daily grind, relax with family and reflect on the future. This year was a tough one for workers.  In times like these, we appreciate more than ever the love and support of our families and our unions.

This holiday season, I am especially grateful for the support of my family and the solidarity of our union family. Union members have always been an essential part of my family. We share strong values that guide us?compassion for the less fortunate, commitment to fight oppression, the joy of giving and solidarity of purpose.

As the new year begins, I am committed, along with the entire labor movement, to making these values the cornerstone of the policies that guide our nation. If we stay true to our guiding values, we will rebuild our economy on a new and stronger foundation and come back stronger than ever.    

That is why we are fighting for an economic recovery that will create millions of good jobs that pay a decent wage and that reaches Main Street where working people and small businesses need help. And for affordable health care for everyone and an Employee Free Choice Act that lets people freely choose to join a union to make their lives better.

I am proud and also humbled that you have elected me to the AFL-CIO presidency this year, and I go forward every day dedicated to fulfilling the trust you place in me to improve the lives of America’s working families.

Building on the strength we draw from each other and from our solidarity, we are poised to do great things as a nation and a movement. Now is the time for bold action. We know where the nation needs to go, and we are ready to lead the way.

I look forward to the year ahead because I know we will make a difference that will make our great country even better.

On behalf of the 11.5 million members of the AFL-CIO, I wish you all a Happy New Year, filled with strength and solidarity.

Full post as published by AFL-CIO NOW BLOG on January 01, 2010 (boomark / email).