200+ unions launch network to push for Gaza ceasefire
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Over 200 local and seven national labor unions in the US have united to form a coalition advocating for a ceasefire in Gaza.
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Pro-Palestinian demonstrators march during a visit by President Joe Biden in Warren, Michigan, Thursday, February 1, 2024. (AP)
On Friday, seven national and over 200 local labor unions in the United States announced the formation of a coalition aimed at advocating for a ceasefire to end the genocidal war in Gaza.
The American Postal Workers Union (APWU), the Association of Flight Attendants, the International Union of Painters and Allied Trades, the National Education Association, National Nurses United (NNU), the United Auto Workers (UAW), and the United Electrical Workers (UE), along with 200 local unions and labor organizations, have joined forces to launch the National Labor Network for a ceasefire (NLNC), aiming to "end the death and devastation" in Gaza.
Read next: One of US' largest unions calls for immediate Gaza ceasefire
The coalition stresses that it represents over 9 million union workers, constituting "more than half the labor movement in the United States."
In a statement, the NLNC said that the coalition stresses that it represents over 9 million union workers, constituting "more than half the labor movement in the United States."
"Israel responded with an onslaught that has killed over 28,000 Palestinians and left over 67,000 others injured," while "1.7 million Palestinians have been displaced, and humanitarian aid remains mostly blocked from those in need," the coalition added.
BREAKING: Seven major unions have just launched a new coalition to fight for a #CeasefireNOW.
— Сeasefire Tracker (@Ceasefire_Track) February 16, 2024
Over 9 million workers—more than half the American labor movement—belong to unions participating in the newly-formed National Labor Network for Ceasefire. pic.twitter.com/bLNDWzEy88
What is NLCN calling for?
The NLCN is calling for:
- An immediate ceasefire in Gaza.
- The restoration of human rights in Gaza.
- The immediate release of captives taken by Hamas.
- Full access to humanitarian aid.
- A call for a ceasefire by US President Joe Biden.
Leaders of the seven unions, the majority of which have already advocated for a ceasefire, emphasized the urgent need for peace.
"The UAW has a longstanding tradition of advocating for peace and justice for working-class individuals worldwide, and we continue to uphold that tradition today," stated UAW President Shawn Fain. "In this spirit, we demand an immediate halt to the US government's funding and backing of this brutal assault on Gaza."
We reflect the diversity of the labor movement – teachers, nurses, tradespeople, auto workers, painters, postal workers, technicians, health care workers, flight attendants, educators, and many others.
— IUPAT (@GoIUPAT) February 16, 2024
Carl Rosen, UE's president, said, "The support for a ceasefire is overwhelming. We can't stand by in the face of this suffering. We cannot bomb our way to peace. We express our solidarity with all workers and our common desire for peace in Palestine and Israel."
APWU President Mark Dimondstein emphasized that "as a union committed to equality, social justice, human, and labor rights, we stand in solidarity with unions and individuals worldwide in urging for a cease-fire, for justice, and peace. The calls for humanity demand nothing less."
Bonnie Castillo, the NNU's executive director, vowed to protect and heal all people, considering it a "duty to speak up for every human being's right to a life free of violence," adding that a ceasefire must be implemented before more lives are lost.
