Jobs with Justice chapter is itself both a result of and a cause of increasing cooperation. It was begun in 1987 when five big industrial-style unions recognized the need to start an organization that would pull progressive organizations together for workers rights issues. The North Texas chapter was born when activists saw the possibilities of pulling together during the Greyhound Bus Drivers strike of 1989-90. During the new leadership s earliest months, they adopted Jobs with Justice and its ideas of cooperation among progressive groups. Then they began to go much further.
Progress continues, but it doesn t just happen.
But labor unions are far different in their histories, structures, and attitudes than idealistic groups of high-minded people. It takes time and patience to win over union people, but it is well worth the effort. Unions are biggest and most consistently progressive organizations in America. They have the most money and the most physical assets. They have the most legitimacy and the strongest commitment from their constituents.