Originally published on Labor Today
On Friday, February 16th, 2024, Several unions including American Postal Workers Union (APWU), Association of Flight Attendants (AFA-CWA), National Nurses United (NNU), International Union of Painters and Allied Trades (IUPAT), National Education Association (NEA), United Auto Workers (UAW), and United Electrical Workers (UE) came together to form the National Labor Network for Ceasefire (NLNC). This announcement comes one week after the AFL-CIO released a statement calling for a ceasefire and support for the two state solution in Palestine. Out of the United State’s approximately 14 million union members, 9 million belong to unions in the NLNC.
Since October 2023, the UE and UFCW local 3000 became some of the first unions to begin the call for a ceasefire. Through organizing, many more unions including the UAW in December 2023 added their names to the list. The NLNC is currently calling for:
- An immediate ceasefire in Gaza between Israel and Hamas.
- Restoration of basic human rights.
- Immediate release of hostages taken by Hamas.
- Unimpeded full access for humanitarian aid.
- Our president calling for a permanent ceasefire.
“The ongoing tragedy in Israel and Gaza makes the prospects of a just and peaceful world more remote. Our unions are united in our call for a ceasefire in Gaza. To achieve a just and lasting peace, the bombing must stop, the hostages must be released, and the humanitarian aid that is so needed in Gaza must be realized.” NLNC “What We Believe”
Labor United Educational League supports ceasefire efforts along with the NLNC as well as the call for UN Resolution 242 which establishes an independent Palestinian state established on the pre-1967 borders with East Jerusalem as its capital and guaranteeing Palestinian refugees the right of return.
