Police Violence is a Racial Issue, But It’s Also a Labor Issue

Black workers face double the unemployment rate that white workers do.

By Sonia Singh / Labor Notes

After the latest fatal police shootings of Black men, captured in horrifying video footage, many of us are asking ourselves tough questions.

How can we step up to stop this state violence? What can we do to expose and challenge racism against Black people in our own workplaces, communities, and families?

In the August issue of Labor Notes, we highlight how rank-and-file members are getting involved through their unions to try and answer some of these questions, and to support the Black Lives Matter movement.

What does police brutality have to do with labor? For one thing, over-policing is connected to poverty wages.

#BlackWorkersMatter

Black workers face double the unemployment rate that white workers do. Nationally, 38.1 percent of Black workers earn sub-poverty wages, compared to 25.9 percent of white workers.

The disparities are even greater for Black women and for young Black workers.

As a labor movement, we haven’t been able to dismantle these inequalities. But as union density shrinks, the problem only gets worse.

For the full article, click on the link below.
[Source]: Alternet.org