F.U.N.

I joined the Federal Unionist Network (FUN) organizing call last night. The Federal Unionist Network was launched two years ago to bring all the federal employee unions together on issues of organizing and pro-worker actions. Timely, too, obviously, because this group was already in place when Elon Musk fired everyone.

The call was wonderful – really. So heartening to see passionate unionists just digging in and fighting back. At the beginning of the call two of the organizers reminded us that working with like-minded and passionate people can be joyful and fun – a good reminder in these trying times.

Private sector unions are joining with public sector unions because private sector unions rep some federal employees – National Institutes of Health workers are UAW, for example, but also because ripping up a contract, as Musk just did with TSA workers, endangers EVERY union member.

Okay, so to the meat of the call. The plan is to do rapid response. So, for example, there is a local Social Security office the next county east from where I live. If that office were threatened with closure by King Musk someone from either FUN, the UAW, Moveon, the Working Families Party or various AFL-CIO affiliates would contact those who volunteer and we would go, short notice, for a protest picket. My husband and I both signed up – he’s basically a normie so this is new for him but he’s a litigator and absolutely fearless so he’ll be fine. A bit of a brawler really, so he may enjoy it.

For anyone feeling hopeless I would urge you to join one of the opposition groups or actions - Moveon, Indivisible, labor unions, local or state Dem or Dem affiliated groups, etc. There’s an opposition happening, it’s just mostly outside the national Democratic Party.

Keep your chin up. We’ll beat them. Here’s the link for FUN Rapid Response.