Annie Comes Home: why I wear this canary pin

Tuesday, May 27, 2025

why I wear this canary pin

Can I tell you a story, friend? Many years ago, at a Workers' Memorial Day rally, a steelworker named Dominic gave me a pin depicting a yellow canary in a birdcage.

Most of you know the story -- coal miners used to have to carry canaries down into the mines with them to warn them of poisonous gasses. Back then, they didn't have a union strong enough or a government that cared enough to protect them. They were on their own.

Together, we changed that. We passed worker safety laws and overtime pay. We banned child labor. We passed clean air and safe drinking water laws. We enacted Social Security and Medicare, workers' rights, women's rights, and civil rights. But now, I fear we're going backward.

Americans are working harder than ever with less to show for it. Costs are going up, wages are stagnant, and our president is pushing chaotic policies that are making things even worse.

So I continue to wear my canary pin for the same reason I started the Dignity of Work PAC: Because when you love this country, you fight for the people who make it work. Too many of our leaders today seem to have forgotten that.

That's why I'm counting on you to chip in $5 or more now so we can invest in candidates nationwide who will put workers first. Together, we can give workers what they deserve: a government that's on their side and a country where all work is valued. Are you with me, friend?

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