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War Undermines Worker Organizing
What does war mean for working people and our communities? As a coalition centered on defending workers’ rights, Jobs with Justice is faced with the need to confront the impact that war has on the needs of our communities, and the impact that war has on worker organizing.
First, we lose rights. Using “national security” as a justification for union-busting, the Bush Administration denied 60,000 airport screeners union representation. Another 170,000 federal workers lost their Union when they were placed in the Department of Homeland Security.
Bush threatened to use troops to replace west coast longshore in the event of a work stoppage, declaring all shipping off-limits for job actions due to “national security.” As in previous wars, any workers who stand up for themselves find their patriotism challenged.
Second, needed resources are diverted. The $87 billion recently authorized for the war in Iraq brings the 2003 bill for the war to $201 billion. Washington State’s share of just the $87 billion is $5.3 billion. That could provide $201.8 million for school construction (with 4845 new jobs); and 1900 new affordable housing units (with 4645 new jobs); and $400.2 million for infrastructure and transportation; and 7971 more firefighters; and health care for 240,748 Washingtonians.
Our State used to benefit from a war economy. But no more. Thanks to trade agreements and globalization, military and construction dollars are now spent overseas to promote sweatshop labor abroad.
And we pay with our bodies. With no draft and a deteriorating economy, military service is one of the few options available to many workers. The impact outlasts the war. Almost 160,000 soldiers, more than 1/4 who served in the Gulf War, suffered disabling injuries and illnesses. Over 8000 have died since the end of the war from non-combat injuries and illnesses.
Washington State Jobs with Justice has made the impact of war on worker organizing a top priority. We’re working with allies, particularly in the faith community, to deal with these issues. Please contact JwJ if you’d like to become involved, by calling 206-441-4969, or email wsjwj@igc.org.
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