For many Kentuckians, Labor Day signifies back-to-school season. Having taken the photos for my first, eight and ninth graders, I know that too well. But while it may be a day off to some, it more importantly provides an opportunity to reflect on how we can do right by our brothers and sisters in labor.
Unions have survived profound challenges
As a student of American history, I’ve stood in awe at the profound impact organized labor has had on our nation. Without unions, we wouldn’t have had a middle class or a five-day workweek.
What is most remarkable is — much like the story of our union — the resilience of organized labor, which has survived seemingly insurmountable challenges. During the Great Depression, when life was grim, unions emerged stronger. That’s also been the case here in Kentucky, where labor has overcome obstacles.
Not long ago, Matt Bevin made it his mission to harm workers. After the GOP took control, he signed so-called “right-to-work” legislation that cut labor’s legs out from under them and sold-out families. Many will recall how it was rushed through the first week of the session with an “emergency” clause so that it would become law immediately.
Despite these attacks, Kentucky’s labor movement stands strong. State-wide union membership continues to grow. From Northern Kentucky to Louisville, unions are ensuring fair treatment for workers.
Unions are a necessity to protect workers and their families
We need them now more than ever. Each legislative session, the Kentucky GOP gets more destructively creative in how it hurts working families. We witnessed their shameless anti-worker agenda in 2022 when they slashed unemployment benefits.
Things have gotten worse. This past session, they doubled down on their attacks against workers and families. They targeted employees’ rights to a lunch break and overtime pay, while attempting to reverse child labor protections. They went after SNAP, advancing a cruel bill that would have forced 21,400 children to go without food.
Republicans are now coming for public education with Amendment 2. It would drain public schools of the funding they need to survive. Just like “right-to-work,” “school choice” is a deceptive name to a bad policy that represents a theft of opportunity from our children and a loss of jobs within our classrooms.
Fortunately, some of the worst GOP bills never became law, thanks to the unwavering coalition of organized labor and Kentucky Democrats. Our governor, Andy Beshear, stands proudly with unions and isn’t afraid to join workers on the picket lines — with solidarity in heart and sandwiches in hand.
It’s paying off. Kentucky is on its best economic winning-streak yet, with nearly 55,000 total jobs created since Governor Beshear took office. Average incentivized hourly wages have topped $26 in consecutive years for the first time. The governor has shown that good business is not at odds with fair labor practices. In fact, together they create a thriving economy with more opportunities. I invite our GOP friends to consider this.
Kentucky Democrats remain committed to building on progress, championing policies that support working families, and creating an economy where every Kentuckian has a shot at the American dream.
Nobody knows for certain what Republicans have in store next, but there’s no doubt they will continue to attack unions and whoever they deem a political threat. Whatever it is, we will fight hand-in-hand with labor to ensure that all Kentuckians — no matter their zip code — are treated with dignity.
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Written by Colman Elridge, chair of the Kentucky Democratic Party.
