*Updated: The momentum continues as more and more working people exercise their freedom to join together in a union. Since this blog post was originally published, we have seen these victories:



Teachers and staff at the City on a Hill school in New Bedford, Massachusetts, became the third charter school this year to join the Boston Teachers Union (BTU), an affiliate of AFT. BTU President Jessica Tang said:

All educators deserve the support of an organization that will support them and the work they do. We are proud to welcome the teachers and staff from City on a Hill New Bedford into our union. Our priority is creating exceptional and successful learning experiences for all students. That means improving the working conditions of all educators, including those working at charter schools funded by public taxpayer dollars, to reduce turnover and sustain stable learning environments for students. It means advocating for full investment in public education and ensuring that all schools, including charter schools, stay true to the interests of the public good. A common bond among all teachers, whether we work in district or charter schools, is that we all want to see our students thrive.

And in Portland, Oregon, Burgerville restaurant workers at the Southeast 92nd Avenue and Powell Boulevard location voted to become the first federally recognized union at a fast-food restaurant. Oregon AFL-CIO President Tom Chamberlain applauded the victory:

The unions of the Oregon AFL-CIO are proud to stand behind the Burgerville Workers Union and offer our sincere congratulations to the workers who have worked for years to make this victory happen. The struggle of the Burgerville workers is an inspiration to not just unions, but to all working people. The Burgerville Workers Union’s successful vote and fight for union recognition has proven that when working people stand together, we will win. Workers in Oregon and across the country are watching as this historic campaign moves forward, and Oregon’s union movement stands ready to support Burgerville’s workers however we can.

Finally, 235 employees in production, processing, sanitation, maintenance and the warehouse at the Nestle Purina plant in Edmond, Oklahoma, voted to join the Bakery, Confectionery, Tobacco Workers and Grain Millers (BCTGM). BCTGM International Representative David Woods said:

I am very proud of the quality assurance workers who had the courage to resist the company’s anti-union propaganda and anti-union strategy throughout the 23-day period between filing for an union election and being able to vote to become members of BCTGM Local 366G.

This past week alone, more than 10,000 working people chose to join together in union for the freedom to negotiate a fair return on their hard work. From flight attendants to graduate students, each day more working people are gaining the power to change an economy rigged against us.