What I Do
IBEW helps build Busch Gardens' newest roller coaster.
IBEW helps build Busch Gardens' newest roller coaster.
Brothers and sisters! I’m Rich Trumka, president of the AFL-CIO, but I am now, always have been, and always will be: U. M. W. A!
This is a powerful rally. It’s a beautiful rally. Thank you!
My friends, America sees your activism, and America says, Thank You!
Because, when you stand up against the corporate rip-off-and-bonus culture, and against Wall Street cheats, when you stand up for American values, for the dignity of your retirees, and for fairness for everyone, you stand up for every single worker in America!
And we’re right with you. Twelve million members of the AFL-CIO believe in you. The American people believe in you. We stand with you. Shoulder to shoulder. Today, and tomorrow and every day after, until you force Patriot Coal to play by the rules!
Let me tell you something, no company called “patriot” should ever do what Patriot Coal has done.
This company stands for everything wrong in America today. Patriot Coal stands for broken promises. Patriot Coal stands for lies. Patriot Coal stands against everything America stands for.
This is a story America has heard too many times. We’re sick of it.
Patriot Coal doesn’t know a thing about patriotism.
In America, our word is our bond. In America, we honor our contracts.
But that’s not how they play on Wall Street. That’s not Patriot Coal. They take the money and run.
Not so fast, Patriot. You’re busted!
This has been going on long enough! Too long! And it’s not good enough. Listen up, Patriot Coal: You can’t game the American system anymore!
You can’t use our courts to steal our security. We won’t let you.
You can’t turn your back on your retirees. We won’t let you.
My friends, we’ve been living and working under the threat of vulture capitalists for too long now. And we’re not going to take it anymore.
Let everybody who pulls a paycheck in America hear us today: Stand with us!
Let everyone who believes in the value of hard work hear us today: Stand with us!
Let every worker in America know: If you honor your word, if you believe in the promise of America, if you love your country, then stand with us, and when you need us, we’ll stand with you.
We’re ready. We won’t back up, and we won’t back down.
Say it loud, and say it clear: Stop Patriot Coal! Stop Patriot Coal!
We’ll do what it takes. One day longer, that’s how long we’ll fight!
Do you hear me, Patriot Coal? Save yourself some trouble, and give up now.
Because the working people of America know how to win. We know how to last!
We’ll win together. We’ll fight together. With people power. With union power.
Because together we are the most powerful progressive force on earth. We are America’s working people, and we will not be turned aside, and we will not be denied.
Thank you, and God bless you. Keep up the fight!
