Thanksgiving is our time to gather with family and friends and give thanks for what we have and all that we have achieved.
It is a time for Americans to give thanks for one another, our families and our union past and present. It is the day that we give thanks for the privilege of living in the United States of America, where all people are created equal and, with God’s grace, all good things are possible.
Throughout the years, with Thanksgiving Day being no exception, union families have many times found themselves faced with adversity. We have had our values and spirit tested by those whose policies and ideals would result in not only limiting economic opportunities for workers but would increase the racial divide among Americans in the workplace. However, no matter how difficult the challenge, nor how formidable our foe, one thing is certain, we are union strong.
No matter how bleak our challenge nor how divided our nation or movement may seem, every attack upon our principles and basic liberties has served as cause for members of the Metal Trades and the labor movement to come back stronger than ever. Buoyed by the fact that we always stick together and we always look out for one another, at work and at home, union members always have our strength and solidarity for which to be thankful. ‘We have each other’s back!’ and that my brothers and sisters is the Greatest Thanksgiving Gift of All!
So on this occasion, I thank you for being part of our Metal Trades family. Please join me in thanking each and every one of the proud, brave men and women of our nation’s armed forces and first responders who protect our freedom and insure our safety each and every day, as we wish all of our loved ones a happy, healthy and safe Thanksgiving Day. May God bless you and your families and may God bless America!
In solidarity,
Jimmy Hart,
President
Metal Trades Department, AFL-CIO