School workers march to keep benefits

Georgia school workers marched in Atlanta on April 20 along with their union, student and community allies to claim victory after regaining their unemployment benefits. Labor Commissioner Mark Butler had illegally taken the benefits away from the workers in 2012.

The chanting, singing crowd of school bus drivers from metro Atlanta, Columbus and Savannah; college cafeteria workers; and others served notice that they are ready to continue the fight for their rightful benefits, despite whatever underhanded measures the Labor Department and Georgia Assembly try in the future. A large number of students from area campuses, as well as United Students Against Sweatshops members from across the country, swelled the ranks.

The march ended at the U.S. Department of Labor headquarters in Atlanta, where the crowd affirmed that they would organize to keep and advance workers’ rights.

For more information on this struggle, see Atlanta Jobs with Justice at atlantajwj.org.