Clara Lemlich inspired immigrant garment workers to rise up and demand better conditions. 

Teamsters 117 Family -

“I had fire in my mouth,” said Clara Lemlich, recalling her 1909 speech that sparked an uprising of 20,000 immigrant women.

A young Ukrainian garment worker, Lemlich was fed up with the brutal conditions plaguing New York’s shirtwaist factories. Her rousing voice helped ignite a movement that won higher wages, safer workplaces, and shorter workdays. 

More than a century later, we see Lemlich’s example in the courageous voices of workers across our union. This year at Local 117, we’ve put those words into action.

TEAMSTERS SPEAK UP

Members of Teamsters 117 have won historic contracts recently at places like US Foods, Swire/Coca-Cola, and Darigold because rank-and-file leaders boldly spoke up and confronted their employers at the bargaining table.

This year in Olympia, our members helped pass groundbreaking legislation – unemployment insurance for striking workers – because they demanded it in face-to-face meetings with legislators.

Teamsters rally to demand an end to the Mauser lockout. 

At Mauser/ICS, when Teamsters were viciously locked out by their employer, Shop Steward Josue Calvario stood before a rally at his workplace and declared, “We will not stop fighting.”

No words better represent the courage shown by those workers. And no words better define our Union. We will not stop fighting for all workers, no matter your country of origin, who you love, how you worship, or what language you speak. Wherever injustice arises, whether in our workplaces or in our communities, we will confront it head-on, no matter who is behind the attacks.

WEAVING SOLIDARITY

The theme of this year's Local 117 Womxn's Conference is Weaving Solidarity: Stronger with Every Strand. Join us there, then use your individual voice to carry that solidarity forward. Speak up against harassment in the workplace. Rally to support your more vulnerable neighbors who are under attack.

Follow Lemlich’s example – when you confront injustice, don't stay silent.

Speak with fire in your mouth.

En Solidaridad,

Paul Dascher
Secretary-Treasurer