Issue link: https://digital.copcomm.com/i/1541402
6 • THE ARTISAN WINTER 2026 • Unions on the Rise: By 1947, union membership had grown to around 15 million people, and more women than ever were joining the workforce and the labor movement. These gains were built on years of organization and solidarity. Modern Challenges and Ongoing Struggles • Public Sector Crackdown: In 1981, air traffic controllers went on strike for better working conditions. Instead of negotiating, President Ronald Reagan fired more than 11,000 of them. This was a major setback for unions, especially in public jobs, and it sent a clear message that the fight for union rights wasn't over. An informed member is an empowered member. When we understand our contract, you know your rights. Your contract is your rule book, your protection, and your power. It helps make your job safer, fairer, and more secure. Our Work Is Not Done The labor movement is a living, breathing force. It's not just history; it's happening now. From sweatshops in the 1800s to today's digital workplaces, the fight for fairness, equity, and dignity continues. Every step forward was earned. Every right we enjoy was won through struggle. And every threat we face today requires the same unity and determination that brought us this far. Being the Union • Study your contract and know your rights. • Attending union meetings makes your voice heard. • Support your coworkers and stand in solidarity. • Speak up at the workplace, at the bargaining table, in your community. Together, we are more than workers; we are a movement. Let's protect our hard-won rights and build a better future for those who come after us. In solidarity, Cheryl Eckert • Racial Discrimination: In 1882, the Chinese Exclusion Act was passed, banning Chinese workers from coming to the U.S. and targeting them unfairly despite the fact that many had helped build railroads and other key parts of the country. This reminds us that labor rights and civil rights are connected, and we must continue fighting for fairness for all. • The Great Depression: When the economy crashed in 1929, many people lost their jobs and homes. But out of that crisis, workers began to organize more strongly, which helped shape the labor protections we have today. The Rise of Labor Unions • Speaking With One Voice: Unions like IATSE, founded in 1893, gave workers a way to stand up together. Before unions, people often suffered in silence. But with a union, workers could speak out and demand fairer hours, safer conditions, and better pay. • The Great Migration: Between 1910 and 1970, millions of African Americans moved from the South to cities in the North to escape racism and find better jobs. This brought new strength to the labor movement and helped push for more equality and better working conditions. • The New Deal: In 1935, the government passed the National Labor Relations Act, also known as the Wagner Act. This law officially gave workers the right to join unions and bargain for better contracts. It was a major victory and changed labor in America forever. The Power of Unity • All Workers United: In 1935, the Congress of Industrial Organizations (CIO) was created to organize workers of all races, genders, and types of jobs. It was a bold move that helped many more people join the fight for fair work. • Fighting Discrimination: In 1941, President Franklin Roosevelt signed Executive Order 8802, which banned racial discrimination in defense jobs. This showed that unions and civil rights efforts were closely connected. Dear brothers, sisters, and kin, I recently had the opportunity to attend officer training, and it was a powerful reminder of the critical role leadership plays in the strength and success of our union. This training didn't just offer tools; it offered perspective. I gained valuable insight into contract enforcement, grievance procedures, and strategies. But more than anything, I was reminded that leadership is not about having every answer; it's about the courage to ask the right questions, to listen deeply, and to stand firmly for our members when it matters most. As your Business Representative, I carry that responsibility with honor and humility. I want to take a moment to reflect on what being union truly means, not just in theory, but in practice and in purpose. Being union is about more than wages and benefits. It's about respect. It's about solidarity. And it's about using our collective voice to demand dignity in the workplace. This report is both a history and a call to action. It walks us through the legacy of labor in America, the battles we've fought, the rights we've won, the challenges we continue to face, and why our presence and participation in the union movement are more important now than ever before. A Legacy of Struggle and Strength The American labor movement began because working conditions were terrible. People worked long hours for low pay in unsafe and unfair environments. Out of this hardship, workers came together to demand better treatment. • Child Labor: In the late 1800s, children as young as 8 were working in factories, mines, and other dangerous places. They worked long hours for very little money. Over time, people fought against this, and in 1938, the Fair Labor Standards Act was passed. It ended child labor and created the 40-hour workweek we know today. LOCAL PERSPECTIVE by Cheryl Eckert Business Representative, I.A.T.S.E. Local 706 Cyl E Cyl E e r t