Conversations from the field: An interview with Chicago jobs with justice

Jobs with Justice has been a pivotal force in uniting community and labor groups to advocate for workers' rights for decades. One key component of these efforts is utilizing Workers' Rights Board hearings. These community-driven bodies bring together the power of local leaders including clergy, elected officials, and academics, to exert moral and political pressure on decision-makers.  

The importance of Workers' Rights Board hearings cannot be overstated, particularly in the wake of attacks on traditional labor enforcement bodies like the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB). WRB hearings can serve as a more responsive and proactive mechanism for advocating for workers’ rights, empowering workers and organizations to engage in meaningful actions. These hearings are one of the most visible ways to demonstrate community support for workers but have also evolved as a tool to amplify community campaigns. Jobs with Justice has used WRB hearings in local fights around preserving the safety net, winning health care for all, stopping wage theft, advocating for electric vehicle auto workers in the South, and supporting union members during major contract fights. 

Recently, I interviewed Jill Manrique, Chicago Jobs with Justice executive director. Chicago JwJ has been utilizing Workers' Rights Board hearings to build power with federal workers as they continue to fight back against mass firings and the attacks on the crucial services they provide to Chicagoans. Check out our conversation below.

“The fear of what may come for Americans in the ongoing federal jobs fallout is now fueling a growing movement.” Read more.

Why was it important for Chicago JwJ to give Chicago federal workers a platform with Workers’ Rights Board hearings?  

Jill Manrique, Chicago JwJ Executive Director: First and foremost, it was important for Chicago Jobs with Justice to give Chicago federal workers a platform with the Workers' Rights Board because there's so much misinformation about federal workers in general.  

Through these hearings, we’re letting people know that these cuts are happening and what it means for the workers and for our communities. The federal workforce is crucial to making this country run. From everything from clean water to making sure that levees don't break, to FEMA, to housing. It's everything. The knowledge of what a federal workforce worker actually does has been critical and mind-blowing for everyone involved. 

What stood out to you from these hearings? 

One of the things that we found through these is that folks have become comfortable with these federal services that we have, thinking they're never going to go away and that no one can take them away. We think no one is going to take away the letter carriers. No one is going to take away our biggest medical system in the country (which is the VA), or the Social Security offices. We become comfortable thinking that those are going to just be there when we need them.   

And what we're finding out ... that's just not the case. And to find out how deeply those are going to impact our lives, like right off the bat, you're like, oh, the social security office is going to close. Like the post office is going to close.  

It's not if, but when. 

Wow, that's really powerful, not if but when. 

I mean, we're talking about what are we going to do when we don't get weather reports from NOAA during the hurricane season? And then what are we going to do when there is no FEMA to respond to those hurricanes. 

What are the overall impacts you are witnessing from holding these Workers' Rights Boards hearings? 

Workers’ Rights Boards have been successful in cutting through the denial of how awful these cuts to federal workers and services can really be. We’ve had more people show up in person and virtually from across the country. They are new to Chicago JwJ and they are showing up to the WRBs and other events – and bringing people with them.  

Virtually and in person, we're seeing folks self-organizing. They were on their phones trying to figure out which politicians in Illinois they needed to write letters to, make phone calls to. All in order to talk about the VA and how to save it. I mean, they were really fired up. They were ready to go and wanted to take action right away. And things like that are happening all over. 

Have these hearings been helpful in connecting labor and community? 

Partnering with the Chicago Federation of Labor and American Federation of Government Employees (AFGE) Local 704 was key to filling out panels and helping with turnout. Turnout has been leader-driven and has helped revitalize members. Through these hearings, we've had more and more folks show up to our other events, as well.  

Elected officials and their staff are also showing up to every single hearing as well, so we know the workers' stories are getting back to local leaders and having an impact. 

What's comes next? 

All summer we're going to be out at airports working with AFGE organizing TSA agents and employees. Right now, we're in the planning stages of our next hearing, about the closure of the Job Corps program. That closure hits everything—it impacts youth, workforce development, housing. Everything. This recent cut is going to leave a huge group of young people without jobs or homes. And it's our job now in the labor movement, our duty, to make sure they're taken care of. We're working with partners for wraparound services to make sure they are taken care of as whole people. In conjunction with mutual aid and services, we will have a hearing to complement this and educate folks about Job Corps in general. 

Okay, on a final note, you're planning this next Workers' Rights Board hearing, these are blowing up and building base, building awareness, and shifting narratives. With that, what advice do you have for other JwJ coalitions and community groups trying to do something similar? 

You know, I think the important thing that we need to remember, the thing that keeps me grounded for these events is obvious, but it's important to remember: always center the workers and the message.

We always come back to:

What are we trying to tell people?

What's the message we want to get out?

What do we want the workers to leave with?

Structure the events in a way that centers the experience of the workers. Having both in-person and virtual options has been key to bringing in folks with additional accessibility. We make it a comfortable space. Free pizza! It's hard at first, but you get into a flow and it's absolutely worth it.

These hearings have really been about sharing experiences and building solidarity. It's been a chance for federal workers to tell their communities about the work they do and showcase their pride in that work.

Learn more about federal workers’ rights board hearings happening across the country in the AFL-CIO's Department of People Who Work For A Living Hearings Report. And plug into work with Chicago JwJ here.