Washington, DC – IUPAT General President Kenneth Rigmaiden issued this statement following the passing of Supreme Court Justice, Ruth Bader Ginsburg.
America, for a brief moment in time, shared a national treasure in Supreme Court Justice, Ruth Bader Ginsburg. A stalwart fighter for everything just and a strong voice of dissent against those who would push for unjust precedent in our nation’s highest court.
We are in awe of her life and legacy as a trailblazer in setting the stage for women to break that glass ceiling and declare that “Women belong, all places where decisions are being made.”
A fierce advocate for affirmative action to end structural discrimination and a dissenting voice when the odds were stacked in favor of those hell-bent on destroying unions and limiting workers’ rights to the detriment of working people in this country.
Her dissent in the Janus vs. AFSCME decision once again proved her colors were on the side of working people.
With her passing, we cannot for one moment rest as the chips stack up and the dominoes begin to fall. The Senate Republicans along with the Trump Administration will not stop in their undying hunger for power over the working class and will, without doubt, move to seat another anti-worker, anti-equality justice against the will of the people.
We need you in the fight.
This November, the stakes could not be higher. This is not just a Presidential election, we must cast a vote to cleanse the Senate of anti-union operatives like Mitch McConnell and Linsey Graham. Elections have consequences. Our Unions must be organized and ready should the Supreme Court try to move further to setback women’s rights, immigrants’ rights, and especially our rights as workers. The livelihoods of each and every one of us depends on it. We cannot fall for false rhetoric as they change the course and make-up of our courts, the DOL, NLRB and OSHA. We must stand shoulder to shoulder, stand up for each other and Get Out The Vote!
Justice Ginsburg was in fact “born under a very bright star”, and for her moment here on Earth, that star shined brightest on those who needed a relentless voice in the fight for equality and justice.
Ken Rigmaiden – General President, International Union of Painters and Allied Trades (IUPAT)