STRENGTHENING WORKERS' RIGHTS STRENGTHENS COMMUNITIES |
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Better and safer working conditions, fair wages, health insurance and reasonable work hours are just a few of the benefits labor unions have collectively bargained for throughout history. The standard 8-hour workday, 40-hour work week many of us have come to know so well came to be after the National Labor Union's unsuccessful request of Congress for a shorter workday in 1866. The movement for a shorter workday continued, and in 1867 the legislature of Illinois was the first to pass a law to shorten the workday to eight hours at a time when 12-hour shifts were common. This November, Illinoisans have an opportunity to make history again, in the workers' right movement.
On Tuesday, November 8, voters in Illinois will have the opportunity to cast a vote in favor of Amendment 1 also known as the Workers' Rights Amendment. Amendment 1 would guarantee employees the fundamental right to organize and to bargain collectively through representatives of their own choosing for the purpose of negotiating wages, hours, and working conditions, and to protect their economic welfare and safety at work.
Despite the significant lengths corporations and employers have gone to weaken the rights of workers to organize for decades, labor unions are gaining momentum again and workers are fighting against company pushback. In particular, young Americans are graduating from college with an average of $30,000 in student loan debt, faced with rising inflation costs, and struggling to find high-paying jobs. Seeing that there is power in numbers, young people are drawn to collective bargaining for higher wages and benefits.
The benefits of unionization and collective bargaining extend beyond the workplace. According to the Economic Policy Institute (EPI), communities in which the workers live and call home are positively impacted. In states where there are strong union protections and the presence of empowered workers, there are "more equitable economic structures, social structures, and democracies."
In these states, people are better positioned to thrive as shown below in the findings reported by the EPI.*
Income and economic protections
On average, the 17 U.S. states with the highest union densities:
- Have state minimum wages that are on average 19% higher than the national average and 40% higher than those in low-union-density states.
- Have median annual incomes of $6,000 higher than the national average.
- Have higher-than-average unemployment insurance recipiency rates (that is, a higher share of those who are unemployed actually receive unemployment insurance).
Health and personal well-being
The states with the highest union densities:
- Have an uninsured (without health insurance) population 4.5 percentage points lower, on average, than that of low-union-density states.
- Have all elected to expand Medicaid under the Affordable Care Act, protecting their residents from falling into the “coverage gap.”
- Are more likely to have passed paid sick leave laws and paid family and medical leave laws than states with lower union densities.
Democracy
- Significantly fewer restrictive voting laws have been passed in the 17 highest-union-density states than in the middle 17 states (including D.C.) and the 17 lowest-union-density states.
- Over 70% of low-union-density states passed at least one voter suppression law between 2011 and 2019.
This measure to amend the State of Illinois’ constitution is significant and historic, not only for the workplace but for our communities as well.
A vote to strengthen workers' rights is a vote to strengthen our communities and protect our democracy that we can no longer take for granted.
In service to the mission,
Bethany Johnson-Javois
President & CEO
Deaconess Foundation
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PARTNER SPOTLIGHT: ACTION ST. LOUIS &
UNITED CONGREGATIONS OF METRO EAST
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The greater St. Louis region experienced historic flooding in late July, with the most devastating impact located in predominantly Black communities.
Action St. Louis has led an effort (in partnership with Arch City Defenders, Faith for Justice, and Black Men Build) to launch a rapid response infrastructure including wellness check-ins, direct assistance, and an advocacy campaign demanding additional support to those who were impacted. They have raised more than $230,000 for these efforts, supporting hundreds of families in North St. Louis County’s affordable housing footprint.
United Congregations of Metro East has raised $24,000 for flood relief efforts in East St. Louis and Centreville in St. Clair County, IL. They have continued to work with local officials to get an increased federal response for those impacted. Funds have been used to purchase $100 gift cards to distribute to impacted families in the metro east along with donated clothing, food, and cleaning supplies.
Deaconess Foundation contributed $20,000 to each of these organizations for flood relief efforts. Several residents remain displaced with limited access to resources or continue to await reimbursement and support. Support these efforts by donating to United Congregations of Metro East and Action St. Louis (or request support).
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November 15: Save the Date! Join us for the Annual Public Joint Meeting of the Deaconess Foundation and Deaconess Center for Child Well-Being Boards. The meeting will be held in-person, and we are also offering an engaging virtual option. We are looking forward to sharing the evolution of our funding strategy and much more!
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Bethany Johnson-Javois, president and CEO of Deaconess Foundation, has been selected as a part of Neighborhood Funders’ Group Philanthropy Forward’s Cohort 4, a CEO fellowship community for visionary leaders who center racial and gender justice and community power building to disrupt and transform the future of philanthropy. Congratulations, Bethany!
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Due October 5: The Racial Healing + Justice Fund is a collaborative fund investing in the commitment to change the conditions of systemic racism that reinforce disparities and endanger lives and to heal the core of our community. Apply here.
Due October 28: Quarter 4 Responsive Grants supports policy development, advocacy or organizing efforts that pursue positive systemic change for the well-being of children and families in the St. Louis metropolitan region in alignment with Deaconess policy priorities. Apply here.
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Voters, local election officials working to navigate Missouri's new voting law
Rebecca Rivas | Missouri Independent | September 15, 2022
The first time Maureen Loyacono voted was in 1960, when she cast a ballot for John F. Kennedy.
“And I’ve never missed an election since,” said Loyacono, 84, a Kansas City resident who also served as a poll worker for 40 years.
But she’s worried this might be the first election where her vote won’t be counted.
For the past two years, she’s been trying to update her expired driver’s license. After waiting for hours at her local license office with her daughter, they’ve been told she doesn’t have all the documents she needs – including a marriage certificate from 1960 that shows she changed her name.
With a new state law that went into effect on Aug. 28, Loyacono won’t be able to cast a ballot at the polls the way she’s always done without a current Missouri driver’s license, a Missouri non-driver’s license, a military photo identification or a passport. Read more.
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Rally after 6 St. Louis Justice Center detainees death
Ala Errebhi | Fox 2 St. Louis | Sept. 19, 2022
ST. LOUIS – Civil rights advocates, surviving families, and local organizations held a rally and press conference on Monday after six detainees died in the St. Louis Justice Center in the last six months.
The rally and press conference were held Monday morning, as the groups involved said they’re doing this to show solidarity with those currently detained at the CJC and to honor the six people who lost their lives there.
Several speakers were in attendance and said they want full transparency on all jail deaths from elected officials. The coalition included impacted families who have lost loved ones in custody, previously detained individuals, Action St. Louis, ArchCity Defenders, and
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PARTNER OPPORTUNITIES & EVENTS |
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October 1: Take part in voicing the North Central Plan's wins, challenges, and approaching solutions together. Residents and stakeholders of the Covenant Blu Grand Center and Vandeventer neighborhoods are invited to our second gathering to discuss the future of our community through the North Central Plan People’s Assembly. Continue to take an active role in shaping housing, education, health, and environmental changes throughout your neighborhoods. Childcare provided. Register here.
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October 1: "STEAMUnleashed: Creative Cardboard Jam" by Unleashing Potential. Register here.
October 4-6: "Shared Space Virtual Boot Camp" by the Nonprofit Centers Network. Register here by September 30.
October 9: "STL Look Up and Live - Public Meeting" by Metropolitan Congregations United. Register here.
October 13: The Clark-Fox Policy Institute established by the Brown School at Washington University is celebrating its fifth anniversary (image below). Register here.
October 13: Public Meeting - Join Gamaliel of Illinois and Iowa, using your voice to meet with decision makers and large corporations. Register here.
October 28: Forward Through Ferguson is sharing new research about St. Louis’ 911 system through a storytelling event and photo exhibition series "Transforming 911" from 6-8 pm at St. Peter's UCC Resource Center on 1425 Stein Rd, Ferguson, MO 63135. Register here.
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DON'T MISS IT:
VOTER REGISTRATION DEADLINES
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View voting information and make a plan regarding polling places, voter registration and eligibility, voter rights, absentee voting, election calendars, and more:
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