Since Donald Trump won the presidential election vowing to carry out the largest deportation operation in U.S. history, members of several Portland-area unions have passed resolutions pledging to defend immigrants generally. The resolutions pledge to mobilize members “to defend immigrants who are under attack either from government raids or racist groups.”
Portland Federation of School Professionals (AFT Local 111) was the first, passing its resolution the day after the election. Painters Local 10 passed a near-identical one at its Nov. 20 regular business meeting. Members of IATSE Local 28 and Ironworkers Local 29 also passed the resolutions. The resolutions are being promoted by the group Class Struggle Workers – Portland.
The resolutions aren’t specific about what members would be mobilized to do, but Local 10 member Adam Nee — who supports the resolutions — says actions could include participating in a rally.
CLARIFICATION: A previous version of this article cited “shutting down a work site in the event of an immigration raid” as an example of an action Local 10 and other unions could hypothetically take under the resolutions; in fact Local 10 and other unions typically commit in collective bargaining agreements not to strike while the agreements remain in force.
President Trump will mostly be deporting the criminals that are in the country illegally….we can’t support people who kill, rape, steal or join others that work against community laws…
If these unions want to help these illegals don’t fight President Trump work with him to help solve our inconomics of trying to house and feed a group of people that shouldn’t be here…
As a local union member I will NOT defy the laws of the federal government and harbor illegal immigrants.
Anyone that came across the border didn’t have across legal should go back Union or not it’s unconstitutional do you know how many millions and millions of dollars we are spending the house and support these illegals in this country and they’re not here legally they can’t work here they can’t do nothing so they are burden on the taxpayer shame on you Union for supporting that I thought you were better than that
Immigrants rights are labor rights and absolutely no is “illegal on stolen land ” . We are country of immigrants. ! UPS Teamster solidarity with our immigrant brothers and sisters and applaud my union siblings in the North West on these resolutions protecting a vulnerable community group!.
It’s not illegal or defying federal law to stand with your fellow workers and their families who want stable, thriving communities same as you. And the true “burden on taxpayers” are those benefiting most from corporate greed and political corruption (like Trump), not exploited immigrant workers who collectively pay into the tax base without the ability to access benefits like SNAP when needed.