Cries of "No Justice, No Peace" are filling the cavernous Union Station in downtown Washington, D.C., as federal workers protesting their poverty wages are joined by their supporters.
Teamsters are among the supporters who marched through the historic rail station. Some wore t-shirts saying, "We are on strike for a Good Jobs Nation." Some held signs with the message, "Sierra Club Stands With Workers." Protesters briefly confronted police as television cameras rolled.
Federal workers, among the 2 million employed by contractors who earn less than $12 an hour,
Holding signs that said “Strike to Survive,” the protesters marched
into Union Station and picketed throughout the building. They paraded
through the large basement food court where many of the strikers work. At one
point, protestors staged a brief sit-in while a banner that read “Strike for a
Living Wage” floated to the top of a large dome ceiling, held up by a several
dozen balloons. Workers spoke through a megaphone and told their stories of
struggling on poverty wages while toiling in the nation’s vast low-wage economy
that includes some 2 million federally contracted workers.
Demonstrators chanted “Si, se puede” (Yes, we can), “Can’t
survive on $7.25,” and “No justice, no pizza” as they headed back to the front
of the station where a rally was held. Representatives of DC’s faith community
opened the rally. With the crowd’s hands in the air, Rev. Whit Hutchinson said,
These are the hands with which
nothing else works. We are here to remind employers, Congress and President
Obama that this city, this country depends on your working hands.
Vilma Martinez, who has worked as a janitor at Union Station
for 19 years, told the diverse crowd about her struggles earning just $8.75 an
hour with no benefits and a serious medical condition. Justin, a 22-year old
local who works at FYE in Union Station said he makes $8.50 an hour and works
17 to 28 hours a week. He is not eligible for health benefits.
It’s not fair. I’m asking Obama to help us. Keep your promise to make change.
Congressman Keith Ellison of Minnesota addressed the rally,
pledging his support and advocacy for the workers on Capitol Hill:
This country demands better pay.
Your action today comes on the heels of fast food workers who have struck in
New York and Chicago. They demand a living wage, paid leave, and benefits. We
call on President Obama to sign an executive order to stop federal contractors
from paying less than a livable wage.
The rally was closed out by Rev. Graylan Hagler, a mainstay
figure in DC’s activist community for workers’ rights. Hagler gave a fiery
speech drawing parallels to sharecropping and demanding that the
“federally-funded sweatshop economy” be overturned. After the rally, a
contingent of protestors and workers marched to Capitol Hill for a hearing
organized by the Progressive Caucus to discuss the issue of low-wage workers
providing services on behalf of the federal government.
Good Jobs Nation is asking President Obama to sign an executive order requiring federal contractors to pay living wages. You can sign the petition
here.
We're also hearing this about today's action:
A flash mob will occur around 530 eastern. You don't wanna miss it.
Stay tuned.
