Indiana Labor Unions Go Online To Highlight Worker Issues

Central Indiana labor leaders and elected officials say they’re working on a number of issues, including the state’s gender pay gap and support for the federal HEROES Act. They discussed the issues Thursday night as part of a Labor Day Town Hall.

The virtual town hall provides labor leaders and politicians a chance to advocate for worker rights and equality. Along with the town hall, unions will be holding a rally at Monument Circle in Indianapolis on Sept. 5, just before Labor Day. 

David Bride, leader of a union for public employees, weighed in on the recent police shootings of Black people that sparked protests across the country. He says labor unions can and should be in discussions with officials to hold officers accountable for their actions.

“You can’t keep shooting unarmed Black people,” he said. “We can’t keep doing that and saying whatever we need to say to make it okay.”

Bride says Sens. Mike Braun (R-Ind.) and Todd Young (R-Ind.) were invited to participate in the town hall, but both declined. 

Contact reporter Justin at jhicks@wvpe.org or follow him on Twitter at @Hicks_JustinM.