(Source: L.A. Times/Getty Images)
One of the first labor activists was a man named Joe Hill. Prior to his death, he wrote to a friend. His letter included Hill's most famous quote:
"Don't waste any time mourning. Organize!"
Don't mourn, organize! has been a rallying cry for unions around the world ever since. I speak from experience. Significantly, the cry goes out today, during this COVID-19 pandemic. Nurses, bus drivers, custodial workers--all face exposure (and sometimes outright danger). Those in unions tend to be better protected because they get a voice in the conversation.
I'd like to turn your attention to this opinion piece from a union nurse in Minnesota (Emily Pierskalla, RN). She writes better than I do, so I leave it to her from hereon. Here are her admonishments:
- I want you to politicize my death. I want you to use it as fuel to demand change in this industry, to demand protection, living wages, and safe working conditions for nurses and ALL workers.
- Use my death to mobilize others.
- Use my name at the bargaining table.
- Use my name to shame those who have profited or failed to act, leaving us to clean up the mess.
- Don’t say “heaven has gained an angel.” Tell them negligence and greed has murdered a person for choosing a career dedicated to compassion and service.
Maybe it's better if you see it yourself:
Stay safe...I don't want to have to send thoughts & prayers.
