Annie Comes Home: an important symbol of our fight for the Dignity of Work

Thursday, May 9, 2024

an important symbol of our fight for the Dignity of Work

Friend, can I tell you a quick story about the pin I'm wearing in this photo?

Every day when I go to work in the Senate, I wear a pin depicting a yellow canary in a birdcage. It was given to me years ago by a Lorain steelworker at a Workers' Memorial Day rally. I'm proud to wear this canary instead of the official Senate pin. Here's why:

In the early days of the 20th century, coal miners would bring canaries deep into the mines to warn them of poisonous gasses. Back then, workers didn't have a union strong enough to protect them or a government that cared enough to protect them.

Together, we changed that. We passed worker safety laws, overtime pay, minimum wage, clean air and safe drinking water laws, and banned child labor. We fought for Social Security and Medicare, fairer hours, and collective bargaining rights. Because when you love this country, you fight for the people who make it work, friend.

I wear my canary pin as a symbol of all the progress we've made, but also as a reminder that our fight for the Dignity of Work – all work – is far from over.

That is why I'm running for reelection here in Ohio. But I've got to be honest with you: I'm facing the toughest race of my life. CNN reports I'm one of the most vulnerable senators on the ballot, experts say Senate control will be decided here in Ohio, McConnell-backed super PACs are spending record-breaking amounts to defeat me, and, now, polls show me in a dead heat with my Trump-backed opponent.

To have the resources to fight back and continue our fight for the Dignity of Work, I need to raise $50,000 a day just to keep up with the GOP's spending. Unlike my self-funding millionaire opponent, I'm running a true grassroots campaign, which means I'm counting on folks like you to give $5 and $25 when you can.

That's why I'm personally asking: Please, friend, will you give $5 or more right now so we can win in Ohio, protect our Democratic Senate majority, and continue making progress for workers and families across the country?

Thank you. I'm grateful to have folks like you standing alongside me in this fight.

In solidarity,