Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez - Hunts Point

 

In honor of Labor Week, we want to share with you the story of the Hunts Point Workers’ strike and what we can learn from it.

In case you didn’t know, The Bronx is home to Hunts Point Market, the largest wholesale produce market in the country that provides more than half the fruits and vegetables to New York City.

After working tirelessly during the pandemic – putting themselves and their families at risk to feed New Yorkers – they asked for a $1 per hour raise and were denied.

So in January 2021, more than 1,400 workers represented by the Teamsters Local 202 union united together on the picket line after voting to strike. Hundreds of workers walked off the job for the first time in over three decades.

Alexandria skipped the inaugural festivities to instead join workers on the picket line. She said to the crowd:

“When you're standing on this line, you're not just asking for $1, you are asking for transformational change for your lives, and for the lives of every food worker across this country, for kids of food workers across the country.

Because there's a lot of things upside down right now in our economy. And one of those things that’s upside down is the fact that a person who is helping get the food to your table cannot feed their own kid. That's upside down.

We need you and we’ve got to pay you like we need you. Because we do. You are not replaceable, you are not expendable, you are valuable. It’s the solidarity of our actions that are going to get us through. It is sticking together.”

At first, management refused to budge. A corporation that enjoyed millions in PPP loans and tax giveaways was fighting a $1 raise for essential workers who risked their lives to feed us.

But then, on the seventh day of their walkout, the union won – ratifying a new three-year contract with the biggest pay increase in over 30 years.¹

This example proves just how powerful it is when workers join together to fight for their rights. Knowing when and how to organize your co-workers can be a daunting task, but we’re here to help.

If you’re interested in learning how to organize your workplace, click here for a list of tips, resources, and virtual trainings to help you get started in formulating a strategy and winning.

Thank you so much for reading and stay tuned for more emails as part of our Labor Week series.

Happy organizing,

Team AOC

P.S. To watch Alexandria’s full remarks on the picket line, click here.