In a passionate address Friday, American Federation of Teachers President Randi Weingarten asked New Yorkers to lead the way when it comes to fighting for our democracy and protecting the American Dream.
In the past, workers built America and shared in its prosperity. “If you worked hard, things would work out. That was the American Dream,” Weingarten said. “That is what we are fighting for now.”
Today, 67 percent of Americans are living paycheck to paycheck, and the wealth gap continues to widen, she said.
Weingarten highlighted the work AFT and NYSUT are doing to fight back against damaging federal cuts and policies, including more than 25 lawsuits. Thanks to the labor movement, she said, DEI is still part of K-12 curriculum, federal funding and research funds have been preserved, and educators rights are being protected, she said.
She recalled how the labor movement responded to the Janus decision of 2018, organizing to rebuild membership ranks, and increase worker power. She exhorted unionists to use that same power now, and lift their voices to restore our democracy.
“The courts are not going to save us. In a democracy, the only thing that saves us is working together,” Weingarten said. “If we don’t fight, we will never win, and our members will never forgive us for not making that fight.”