Home » Posts tagged 'educators for a democratic union'
Tag Archives: educators for a democratic union
MTA Passes Resolution on Defending the Vote
October 26, 2020
The MTA joined unions across the country when, at the October 17 MTA Board meeting, a resolution passed asserting MTA’s commitment to defending democracy and the vote. This loose grassroots network is preparing a strong labor response to any attempts to undermine the election.
It reads:
“Donald Trump and his enablers represent the most direct threat to American democracy since the McCarthy Era in the 1950s. If Donald Trump and his enablers attempt to obstruct, subvert, sabotage, overturn or reject a fair and complete count of presidential ballots (essentially a coup against democracy), or take any other steps to inhibit the peaceful transfer of power, organized labor and its allied labor organizations must respond with nonviolent action to defend the democratic process, the Constitution and an orderly transfer of power that is one of the historic hallmarks of American democracy. His presidency has been a disaster for the labor movement, the nation, and the world.
Therefore, be it resolved, that the MTA, in collaboration with other labor and progressive forces, will take whatever nonviolent actions are necessary to protect our democracy, the Constitution, the law, and our nation’s democratic traditions.”
EDU members can help to lead this effort by:
* Becoming part of national rallies to be held on Wednesday Nov. 5 asserting our commitment to democratic tradition. You join a rally or plan your own. Go to protecttheresults.com.
* Holding local union meetings to talk about what might happen and why a strong labor response will be necessary if efforts are made to undermine the election results.
* Be alert for updates and possible November 7 actions.
Educators for a Democratic Union Platform
Inspired by educators around the country, the foundation of our platform is to advance the struggle for racial, social, and economic justice. EDU members discussed and voted on this platform this past winter.
1) WE BELIEVE IN AND WILL FIGHT FOR free, democratically governed, high quality public education for all, from preschool through college and university as a right of all of our residents.
2) WE BELIEVE that fighting for an economically and racially just society is true education reform, the only way truly to create the public schools and the Commonwealth we want to live in. We will build a union that uses its collective power to fight racism, and economic inequality, and to challenge oppression in all forms.
3) WE BELIEVE that the MTA is strongest when rank-and-file members organize for power to solve problems in their workplaces and communities.
4) WE REJECT policies of economic austerity that have intentionally starved
school budgets and promoted efforts to privatize or corporatize our schools,
including via the strategies of charter schools, turnaround plans, and takeovers.
5) WE REJECT a regime of testing, evaluation, and standardization that damages educators and students.
6) Free, high-quality public higher education
7) We stand for the continued expansion of civil rights, for people of color, for immigrants, for people of all genders and sexual preferences.
8) WE BELIEVE in dignity, respect, and autonomy in the workplace for all
educators, particularly the most undervalued and least protected.
9) WE BELIEVE the MTA must work in coalition with community and civil rights groups, other unions, and students and parents to achieve the public schools and colleges Massachusetts deserves.
10) WE BELIEVE in union democracy at all levels. We believe that contested
elections and vigorous debate are essential elements of democracy.
11) WE STAND in solidarity with educators and other workers in the U.S. and abroad. Their struggle is our struggle.
Follow us on Social Media!
