Sick days are a human right!

A coalition of unions, activists and workers’ rights groups protested Dec. 7, outside and inside Grand Central Station in New York City, to demand full sick pay and labor rights for the 115,000 rail workers who transport essential goods. Their 11 unions were denied the constitutional right to strike by a bill passed by Congress and signed by President Joe Biden Dec. 2.

Inside Grand Central Station, Dec. 7. WW Photo: Brenda Ryan

Coalition organizers called out Biden for his assistance to Wall Street and the rail corporations, which loot billions in profits from rail workers’ labor, while endangering their health and safety.

“If Biden wants to avoid disrupting the economy during the holidays,” said Larry Holmes, a leader with Workers Assembly Against Racism, one of the coalitions calling the action, “with the stroke of his pen, he can extend Obama’s legislation requiring paid sick leave for employees of companies with federal government contracts to rail workers.

“Congress’ anti-worker legislation should shatter any illusions that the Democratic Party is the party of the working class. Biden’s signing the deal gives the lie to his phony statement, made for the umpteenth time on Labor Day 2021, that he is ‘the most pro-union president leading the most pro-union administration in American history.’”

Black labor and community activists took the lead in organizing this important solidarity action. The coalition includes December 12th Movement; Chris Silvera of Teamsters Local 808, Workers Assembly Against Racism; Charles Jenkins, president of the New York City Chapter of Coalition of Black Trade Unionists; Matthew Mitchell and Edward Valente of Association of Commuter Rail Employees Locals 1 and 2; and Neil Merola of ACRE Local 166 — Signal Maintainers.

Sick days and the right to strike are human rights!