Fast food, home health care, childcare, airport, retail and low-wage workers from many other sectors took to the streets to raise their demands for $15 and a union. What began in November 2012 with a group of fast food workers in New York City who walked off the job has since sparked a national movement that has become a rallying cry for workers everywhere.
On the same day, a demonstration of many thousands confronted the Republican presidential candidates debate in Milwaukee. The demonstration raised the demand for $15 and a union, to end racism and police violence against oppressed communities, to stop deportations of immigrant workers, and many other issues. Nate Hamilton, the brother of Dontre Hamilton, who was murdered by the Milwaukee police, was a featured speaker at the demonstration.
Which way forward?
Most of the demonstrations around the country on Nov. 10 ended with protests outside of city halls, with calls for the elected politicians — who represent the bosses and their interests — to take action around the demands for $15 and a union.
A key question for this movement — an upsurge that has been marked by militancy and the leadership of Black and Latino/a workers, along with many women and young workers — will be whether it will maintain its independence in the face of the looming 2016 presidential elections. These elections tend to pull popular movements away from strikes and street action, which is what is needed, into the framework set by the two major political parties, both of which represent the interests of the big capitalists and bankers.
Since the Republicans are more openly reactionary and anti-labor, the question is whether this dynamic workers’ movement will avoid being drawn into the Democratic Party circles and misled into the electoral arena as the 2016 presidential contest draws closer. It will be up to the workers on the front lines of this struggle and the broader movement that has mobilized to support them to maintain an independent course.
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