Spring Break
MOJO: Progressives discuss unions, immigration
Andres Cuevas Jr.
Issue date: 10/9/08 Section: News
Talk of immigration and union reform filled the air today at a Progressive Forum 2008 session sponsored by the Sacramento Progressive Student Alliance.
Speakers Bill Fletcher and David Bacon, both authors, discussed immigration and brought books to sign and sell.
Fletcher, author of "Solidarity Divided: The Crisis in Organized Labor and a New Path Toward Social Justice," spoke about the need for an entirely new framework for unions in the United States.
"The current framework of unions in the United States inhibits what we as the working people are able to do. Objectives of unions need to go beyond the job and towards social transformation and social justice," Fletcher said.
Fletcher explained how different unions in the U.S. compare to those in foreign countries. He said unions here worry about the actual people in the union and their jobs, but completely forget the working peoples' agenda.
Bacon, author of "Illegal People: How Globalization Creates Migration and Criminalizes Immigrants," talked about the upcoming election and how the issue of immigration and undocumented workers fits in.
"If Obama wins, the first thing he needs to do concerning immigration is stop the raids," Bacon said. "He needs to get rid of the criminalization of work and give those undocumented workers in the United States legal status."
Bacon also put things in perspective and explained that homeland security's reasons for anti-immigration policies and actions are not correct and only cause a split within the working class.
"Working people are getting pitted against each other; this is capitalism," Bacon said.
Both speakers stressed that even if Obama wins, people must continue to work and organize to make the changes necessary in our country.
"Progressives should be making demands right now," said Eric Vega, ethnic studies professor.
Duane Cambell, master of ceremonies and member of the Democratic Socialists of America, spoke on the importance of the forum.
"We are trying to raise the level of discussion on these issues in the midst of a campaign," Cambell said.
Andres Cuevas can be reached at acuevas@statehornet.com
Speakers Bill Fletcher and David Bacon, both authors, discussed immigration and brought books to sign and sell.
Fletcher, author of "Solidarity Divided: The Crisis in Organized Labor and a New Path Toward Social Justice," spoke about the need for an entirely new framework for unions in the United States.
"The current framework of unions in the United States inhibits what we as the working people are able to do. Objectives of unions need to go beyond the job and towards social transformation and social justice," Fletcher said.
Fletcher explained how different unions in the U.S. compare to those in foreign countries. He said unions here worry about the actual people in the union and their jobs, but completely forget the working peoples' agenda.
Bacon, author of "Illegal People: How Globalization Creates Migration and Criminalizes Immigrants," talked about the upcoming election and how the issue of immigration and undocumented workers fits in.
"If Obama wins, the first thing he needs to do concerning immigration is stop the raids," Bacon said. "He needs to get rid of the criminalization of work and give those undocumented workers in the United States legal status."
Bacon also put things in perspective and explained that homeland security's reasons for anti-immigration policies and actions are not correct and only cause a split within the working class.
"Working people are getting pitted against each other; this is capitalism," Bacon said.
Both speakers stressed that even if Obama wins, people must continue to work and organize to make the changes necessary in our country.
"Progressives should be making demands right now," said Eric Vega, ethnic studies professor.
Duane Cambell, master of ceremonies and member of the Democratic Socialists of America, spoke on the importance of the forum.
"We are trying to raise the level of discussion on these issues in the midst of a campaign," Cambell said.
Andres Cuevas can be reached at acuevas@statehornet.com
Be the first to comment on this story