In 2022, fight back with a union!

Cassidy Reves-Sohn, a current Clinician at Jewish Child and Family Services, became a union steward soon after starting her position in 2021. She returned to work in 2022 after winter break to inadequate safety measures. Her colleagues shared her frustrations after management didn’t address their concerns. One of her colleagues, Martin, felt ready to join the fight by becoming a union member.

Cassidy acted without hesitation and officially signed JCFS’ first union member of 2022. “There’s a lot going on, but it doesn’t have to be this way. The only way to get change is through collective action. When we stop working, our institutions stop working.”

“I had been meaning to sign up for a while, and it became a top priority for me with COVID and everything happening moving into the new year,” said Martin.

Workers across the nation are banding together and using their collective power to win more pandemic protections. Last year, “Striketober” swept the nation, led by essential workers who were fed up with low pay and unfair conditions. This wave of collective action has spilled over into 2022. The Chicago Teachers Union has led a remote work action that has led to a written agreement between the union and CPS directing more resources to students and staff. Those who are risking their lives to keep our communities running in the face of the Omicron variant are beginning to use their power to demand remote work, PPE, pandemic pay, and additional safety protections.

Through labor unions, workers are fighting for their rights. Now, more than ever, collective action is saving lives and keeping our communities healthy. In 2022, resolve to join a union and stand with your coworkers.