Labor report by Thomas M. Foreback

On Tuesday March 6, 500 workers, community groups, clergy, labor unions, and concerned citizens gathered on Fountain Square to deliver a message to corporate Cincinnati:  Create a new economic standard including career jobs, health care, and retirement benefits for employees. Speakers contrasted the high concentration of corporate wealth in the city with the economic reality of poverty, unemployment, and crime. The rally ended with a march to the Procter and Gamble building to support the Service Employees International Union (SEIU) janitors contract campaign.

Not only was turnout high, but there were great visuals as well.  Videos played on the screen above Macy’s.  Dynamic speakers from diverse organizations—including the Reverend Markel Hutchins (a prominent civil rights leader from Atlanta, GA)—and hundreds of participants marched through downtown to convene on P&G headquarters. This was a well-planned, well-organized, and well-attended event.  However, the lack of media attention was appalling.

I fully expected coverage from the Enquirer.  Talk about disappointing—not a single word devoted to this event.  The media usually love huge crowds, controversy, and images that make for good photo opportunities. This event had all these elements highlighted by the march that filled three blocks between Fountain Square and P&G.  Why this lack of coverage?  Wednesday wasn’t a particularly strong day for news.  Here are some of the headlines from the Local News section:  “At least two winning tickets sold” and “Lucky day for rescued pooch.” We know where the working class stands with the Enquirer.  Clearly, Cincinnati media has sided with corporations in the fight for economic justice between these Fortune 500 companies and their workers.

The Enquirer missed the chance to throw a spotlight on the misdeeds of our corporate citizens.  After all, the increasing poverty levels, health care crisis, and soaring crime-rates, are in part creations by companies trying to save a few dollars by squeezing their workers.  This was the point of the rally.  Corporations, by treating employees fairly, can help rebuild communities, revitalize the local economy, and pull millions of workers up from poverty into the middle-class. 

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