Get ready for solidarity with US workers on 4 April

Solidarity with US unions

We are one campaign

3 April 2011

As part of the TUC's support for the US trade union movement's campaign to defend collective bargaining rights for public sector workers, we are publishing information on the background to the campaign every day in the fortnight before our day of solidarity on Monday 4 April.

On 4 April 1968, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. was assassinated in Memphis, where he had gone to stand with sanitation workers demanding their dream: The right to bargain collectively for a voice at work and a better life. The workers were trying to form a union with AFSCME.

Beginning with worship services over the April 1 weekend, and continuing through the week of April 4, unions, people of faith, civil and human rights activists, students and other progressive allies will host a range of community- and workplace-focused actions.

Not just in the USA, but around the world, people will be taking action in solidarity.

In the UK, TUC General Secretary Brendan Barber will be meeting US Ambassador Louis B Susman to hand over a letter from the TUC President, Michael Leahy, and the General Secretaries of Britain's ten largest unions. And in the evening, Amnesty International UK's Kate Allen, Professor Keith Ewing, and Unite's Gail Cartmail and Tony Burke will be speaking at a solidarity rally at TUC headquarters.

Join us in solidarity with working people in Wisconsin, Ohio, Indiana and dozens of other states where well-funded, right-wing corporate politicians are trying to take away the rights Dr. King gave his life for: the freedom to bargain, to vote, to afford a college education and justice for all workers, immigrant and native-born. It's a day to show movement. Teach-ins. Vigils. Faith events. A day to be creative, but clear: We are one.

Is your April 4 event located at a house, a coffee shop or a local community venue? Is your event private or public? There is strength in numbers and whether you invite five people or 100, we want to know about your local event. This site provides event resources and support to help get you started. Private events will not show up on the searchable map. Please register your local event today and be counted!

LEARN MORE:

• Learn more about Dr. King and the Memphis sanitation workers' strike.