At long last, the day has arrived! Today REI-Lincoln Park will hold a vote to determine whether or not forming a union is supported by a simple majority of workers. It’s taken over a year of planning, preparation, organizing, and dedication to arrive at the point where (almost) every worker will have the chance to cast their vote and make their voice heard.
Presently I feel pretty good about how the vote is shaping up; we wouldn’t have filed for an election if we didn’t feel we were ready to talk to our coworkers and take this important next step. Despite the confusion of some coworkers, I recognize that regardless of the election’s outcome, this is simply one small step in a long journey toward a healthier and more constructive work environment. I don’t expect anything to be improved overnight, just as I don’t expect a band-aid to miraculously heal a broken bone. But by standing together with my coworkers and making clear that this is in our collective best interest, hopefully we can demonstrate that communication in community is the way forward.
If the vote passes tonight, I’ll have a laugh and be thankful that the process can move on to the next, arguably more difficult step of actually bargaining. If the vote should fail, I’ll probably let out a different kind of laugh, and maybe feel bad for a day or two, before picking back up and continuing to advocate for better working conditions. The vote is a cool landmark moment, and it can (hopefully) be a resounding success, but it’s by no means any kind of finish line.
Side Items
Casual Murder in NYC: The New York Times refers to a violent attack on the subway earlier this week as follows: “A 30-year-old man died on the subway on Monday after he was placed in a chokehold, the police said. Witnesses said the victim had been acting in a “hostile and erratic manner” toward passengers on the train when the other man, 24, moved to restrain him.” The facts are as follows: a Black man named Jordan Neely was murdered, specifically he was choked to death in broad daylight for making the fatal mistake of being visibly uncomfortable and probably mentally unstable in a way that the offender disagreed with. The offender, a (white) former marine soldier, proceeded to commit murder in broad daylight and somehow avoid any criminal charges
Coronation Capitalism: This article discusses some of the absurd items on sale in preparation for the coronation of a new king in the UK. Brits are selling everything from cardboard cutouts of their king to royal-themed caviar and an item of clothing I can best describe as a “Crucifixion Chic” outer layer. I for one look forward to the end of the honeymoon phase with regards to king Sausage Fingers. To be honest, I’m ready for the calls for his head
Euthanized at the Kentucky Derby: Four horses have died since the opening night of the Kentucky Derby earlier this week. Churchill Downs Racetrack, where the famous crown jewel of competitive horse racing takes place, called the deaths "highly unusual" and "completely unacceptable." Two horses died from unknown causes when they suddenly collapsed after completing races. Two other horses were euthanized due to irreparable injuries, according to a statement from the racetrack. Somehow I doubt that any of the caucasians in ridiculous hats bother to think about all the dead horses their consumption enables