Freedom, Justice, and the Power of a Union: Honoring Juneteenth
As RWDSU members across the country mark Juneteenth—the day that commemorates the end of slavery in the United States—we remember that freedom and justice are not just ideals; they are goals we must continue to fight for every day, on every shop floor, in every community.
From the earliest days of our national union, the RWDSU has stood at the intersection of the labor movement and the civil rights movement. We know that racial justice and economic justice are deeply intertwined. That’s why Juneteenth isn’t just a day of remembrance—it’s a call to action. It’s a reminder that the struggle for dignity, equality, and opportunity is ongoing—and that unions are one of the most powerful tools working people have to win that fight.
This year, as we reflect on that legacy, RWDSU members are also writing the next chapter in that history. RWDSU members have always shown what real solidarity looks like. We have and always will stand up not only for fair wages and safe conditions, but for the basic human dignity that comes from being respected on the job.
Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. once said:
“The labor movement was the principal force that transformed misery and despair into hope and progress.”
That transformation continues today in every contract fight, every organizing effort, and every act of solidarity that uplifts the lives of working people – especially Black workers, who have always been at the heart of both the civil rights and labor movements.
This Juneteenth, we honor that legacy not only with reflection, but with action. Because when RWDSU members rise up together – we don’t just win at the bargaining table. We move the needle toward justice.
