UNION MEMBERS WRITING THEIR STORIES
Teaching working men and women to write their stories is the most important
thing a writer can do. I was lucky enough to spend a day with nursing home workers at
an all day conference in Hartford sponsored by 1199 NE. In the workshops I talked about
the importance of combating the anti-working class media propaganda by writing and
publishing stories that show the world the value of the work we do. We must make it
clear that we in the health care deserve MORE wages and MORE benefits, not less.
I asked everyone to write about their work and life. The stories were inspiring.
Moving, Amazing. One woman wrote about her co-worker who learned she grew up in
the same town as the young man with MS they were caring for. The aide brought in
pictures from the old days, and they spent many happy hours remembering the past.
When the man died, the aide telling the story is sharing word pictures of their
relationship - keeping the memories alive.
I hope 1199 NE will organize regular writing circles through the union and encourage
their members to work at their writing. Their stories will inspire others and help build the
union.
thing a writer can do. I was lucky enough to spend a day with nursing home workers at
an all day conference in Hartford sponsored by 1199 NE. In the workshops I talked about
the importance of combating the anti-working class media propaganda by writing and
publishing stories that show the world the value of the work we do. We must make it
clear that we in the health care deserve MORE wages and MORE benefits, not less.
I asked everyone to write about their work and life. The stories were inspiring.
Moving, Amazing. One woman wrote about her co-worker who learned she grew up in
the same town as the young man with MS they were caring for. The aide brought in
pictures from the old days, and they spent many happy hours remembering the past.
When the man died, the aide telling the story is sharing word pictures of their
relationship - keeping the memories alive.
I hope 1199 NE will organize regular writing circles through the union and encourage
their members to work at their writing. Their stories will inspire others and help build the
union.
|
| PROGRESSIVE LINKS |
| Acuff explains the decline of unions and the lowering standard of living for working men and women. |
A comprehensive review of
recent labor strife that reads
like a whodunit - brilliant.
recent labor strife that reads
like a whodunit - brilliant.
| Essays by nurses on work in the health care factories. |
| GOOD READS |
Photos courtesy of Steve Bender, 1199 NE.