"Jobs with Justice" Celebration

I was part of the UAW contingent (as a member of the National Writers Union) at the Jobs With Justice 20th anniversary fundraiser tonight. My niece’s dear friend Jennifer Doe, JwJ’s popular Workers' Rights Organizer, pulled the large event together flawlessly. It seemed that every speaker singled her out for the support she has provided to unions and community groups. And that’s what the Jobs with Justice coalition does: they’re on the streets with groups trying to protect workers’ rights.

The event was held at the club house of the Suffolk Downs racetrack and I was taken aback when I passed their members bar:
on the bar’s door was a sign saying “No Work Clothes” – and listing forbidden items (including sweatpants and t-shirts). Does that mean that if you work in a suit and tie you can’t go in there dressed like that? I don’t think so. In fact, one of the aspects of the party that I loved was the range of couture – from sexy cocktail dresses to hoodies. Shoes were mostly sensible (you know how I hate women teetering on stilettos) and neckties rather in absentia.

There was a list of activist speakers, but the man whose presentation really stood out was Gunner Scott, Executive Director, Massachusetts Transgender Political Coalition, whom I’ve met a number of times. He opened with “mic check!” and a shout-out to the Occupy movement, which had a table-full of representatives. He talked about how the corporations were courting LGBT people and that even the vile Walmart had instituted a non-discrimination policy regarding transgendered people before Massachusetts passed such legislation. And then he pointed out that not all unions and other activist groups were equally as welcoming and it was time for some solidarity.

Praying Is Not My Preferred Route to Justice

Only one element of the evening’s program got me down. In union circle there seems to be an upsurge in religiosity and it is getting out of hand. At the JwJ dinner, one speaker asked people to fold their hands and bow their heads to ask “our lord Jesus Christ” to bless us and our struggles. Hello? The same thing had happened each morning at a recent UAW conference. What’s with the Jesus Christ bit? It’s one thing to have some kind of general non-denominational blessing at a secular union or movement meeting (as an atheist I don’t like that either); and another thing altogether to ask people to actively pray to one group’s named god. Don’t forget, there are plenty of non-Christian members of unions. As one of those non-Christians, I am offended and annoyed to be subjected to such inappropriate and presumptive praying at union events. Stop it.

Back to the otherwise great evening, which brought together Massachusetts activists to celebrate this fabulous coalition that has contributed to so many struggles and campaigns. And we heard about a number of them: from taxi drivers who are brutally exploited, to immigrants and their challenges in the workplace. I was happy to boo Bank of America and Walmart with the rest of the guests whenever given the opportunity.

I didn’t get a chance to tell her before I left, so let me add my “mazal tov!” to Jenn Doe for all that she and Jobs with Justice does.