America’s labor unions are mobilizing to defend our democracy. We – as members of a democratic union – must decide what role to play in this struggle.
What steps can we take to ensure every vote is accurately counted? What should we do if Donald Trump refuses to accept a loss to Joe Biden or attempts to undermine the count of legitimate votes?
Nationwide, labor is beginning to tackle these questions, and our Executive Committee seeks your vote on how to proceed as a democratic union. Dues-paying members will receive a companion email, seeking their vote on this resolution. If you do not receive a ballot or if you problems with it, please email taupballot@gmail.com
If Trump refuses to accept defeat, labor councils in Rochester, N.Y., Seattle, and western Massachusetts have proposed a national general workers strike.
The AFL-CIO Executive Council has made clear “America’s Labor Movement Will Defend America’s Democracy.”
The Pennsylvania AFT has pledged to “do whatever it takes to stand by our commitment to reject election interference, threats, tampering, stealing, acts of violence or other actions that undermine the will of the people in this exercise of Americans’ democracy.”
At its heart, TAUP stands for “the well-being of the wider community through collective bargaining, organizing, political action and community engagement.” This is our mission statement.
To that end, TAUP’s Executive Committee asks you to vote YES on a resolution to defend democracy, which includes wording borrowed from a similar resolution passed by Rutgers’ Executive Committee. Voting will open at 3pm today, and the deadline to vote on this resolution is noon on Friday, Nov. 6
On Saturday, we hope you will join us for a rally outside Independence Hall in Philadelphia. All attendees must commit to wearing masks and practicing non-violent protest. The Count Every Vote Rally For Life, Liberty and Democracy begins at noon.
This is our call to action.