At a time when Americans are increasingly divided along political lines with both sides demonizing the other, one institution continues to provide a model of uniting people from diverse political backgrounds around common goals: the trade union.
Like most unions, our union, the Laborers’ International Union of North America (LIUNA) , includes liberals, conservatives and centrists. Yet wherever our members stand individually, they regularly stand together to demand good wages, family-supporting benefits and safe work sites. They often join together as volunteers to clean public parks, build playgrounds and assist the needy. And when one union member suffers a tragedy or a loss, dozens, if not hundreds, of others show up to provide comfort, support and sympathy.
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Regardless of where they are on the political spectrum, what they think about cultural issues, or how they vote, union members routinely join together to fight for their rights at work − rights that benefit all working Americans. When they enter the union hall, work together on a job site, walk a picket line or attend a rally, they are no longer Democrats, Republicans or independents; they are union brothers and sisters.