New Year, Same Bullsh*t: The Fight for Black Workers Continues
By Tanya Wallace-Gobern
Executive Director, National Black Worker Center
As we step into a new year, I wish I could greet it with the optimism and fresh hope many associate with January 1st. But let’s be real: the challenges we face as Black workers didn’t magically disappear at midnight.
The truth is, 2024 was a reminder of how much work lies ahead – from anti-worker policies, to systemic racism and attacks on labor unions: these challenges disproportionately impact Black workers. And now, we’re advocating for Black worker rights during a time where policies fighting racial inequities are being dismantled and corporate interests are protected at the expense of everyday people.
For Black workers, these threats aren’t abstract. They’re deeply personal and deeply felt. We see it consistently in the erosion of rights to organize, stagnant wages, and the persistent racial pay gap. We’ve seen it in the disproportionate number of Black workers forced into low-wage, high-risk jobs without adequate protections during the pandemic. And we’re reminded of it every time a Black worker faces discrimination or retaliation simply for demanding fairness on the job.
But this isn’t a post about despair. It’s a call to action.
At the National Black Worker Center, we know that the fight for Black workers is part of the larger fight for racial and economic justice. And in 2025, we’re doubling down on our commitment to end anti-blackness in the workplace by:
- Advancing Worker Protections: We’ll continue advocating for policies that ensure fair wages, safe workplaces, and the right to organize without fear of retaliation. This includes pushing for federal and state-level protections that address the unique challenges Black workers face.
- Organizing and Empowering Black Workers: We’re building power from the ground up, organizing workers in industries where exploitation runs rampant. Whether it’s warehouse workers, gig workers, or healthcare workers, we’re equipping Black workers with the tools to demand and win the respect they deserve.
- Holding Corporations Accountable: We’re not letting corporations off the hook. From addressing discriminatory hiring practices to challenging exploitative policies, we’re committed to making sure companies invest in Black workers, not just their bottom line.
- Building Solidarity Across Movements: The fight for worker justice intersects with the fight for housing justice, climate justice, and voting rights. We’re working alongside partners in these spaces to build a future where every Black worker can thrive.
This new year might feel like a continuation of the same old fight, but it’s one we’re ready for. I look forward to being alongside y’all: marching, organizing, and demanding better.
Let’s get to work. Learn ways you can join our movement at nationalblackworkercenters.org/get-involved/.
