Moyers Highlights Jobs with Justice Organizer, Employee Free Choice

by Seth Michaels, Apr 3, 2009

On this past week’s “Bill Moyers Journal” on PBS, Moyers took a look at the battle for worker freedom during our current economic crisis. It’s a great segment that highlights James Thindwa, head of the Chicago chapter of Jobs with Justice (JwJ), and the fight to pass the Employee Free Choice Act. 

The segment follows Thindwa, a Zimbabwe-born community organizer who has worked for years to help workers in his community—from the nurses of Resurrection Health Care to the sit-in strikers at Republic Windows. He helps community members get involved in rallies, contact their elected leaders and participate in campaigns to improve their lives and those of their neighbors. As Moyers says, Thindwa’s tireless efforts are: 

All in a day’s work for a man who spends his days organizing people to tackle issues they face in the workplace, from low wages and meager benefits, to corporate behavior. 

Now Thindwa, like JwJ organizers and working families around the country, is taking part in the campaign to pass the Employee Free Choice Act—hosting rallies, gathering signatures, getting letters to elected officials and helping young leaders speak out in favor of the critical bill. He knows the importance of giving workers the freedom to form unions and bargain, and the role that unions can play in giving workers a stake in the economy, as well as giving them the tools to improve their own lives and participate in their communities. 

Thimdwa understands how important unions are to a fair economy, where worker power  balances the overwhelming corporate power. He also knows the importance of good jobs to building strong families and strong communities. Says Thindwa:

The question of good wages, decent wages for workers, isn’t just a question of economic justice, isn’t just a question of fairness for that worker….It does have broad implications for social stability. 

You can watch the entire segment here. It’s an inspiring story of one man’s effort to help make the economy work for everyone.

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