Faith, Labor and the Power of Solidarity

South Florida AFL-CIO President Jeffery Mitchell joined local faith leaders and congregants for Labor in the Pulpit, part of a national AFL-CIO tradition that brings the labor and faith communities together around shared values of dignity, justice, equality and respect for working people.

Mitchell reflected on the deep connection between our houses of worship and our workplaces: union members are also ushers, choir members, deacons, parents and neighbors. The challenges confronting working families do not stop at the church door.

His message centered on a principle that has driven the labor movement for generations: when working people stand together, organize and use their collective voice, they have the power to create change.

From the eight-hour workday and workplace safety protections to Social Security, overtime pay and the right to organize, many protections Americans now take for granted were secured because generations of workers joined together and demanded better.

As South Florida families continue to confront the rising cost of housing, groceries, insurance, healthcare and other necessities, Mitchell called for renewed solidarity between faith communities and organized labor—and for working people to remain engaged in the decisions affecting their families, workplaces and communities.

Different congregations. Different unions. Different communities. One working class—and one shared commitment to dignity for every worker.