On this date, 400,000 coal miners in 26 states began a strike for safer working conditions and better wages.  Six weeks later, President Harry Truman took control of the mines and ordered the miners back to work without agreeing to any of the demands.  United Mine Workers of America leader John L. Lewis led the workers off the job again in November of 1946.  Despite a court injunction, the miners refused to return to the mines.  John Lewis was jailed and the UMWA was fined 3.5 million dollars.  Finally in December, the government agreed to the demands and the miners returned to their jobs.

Coal Mining has always been dangerous work.  Between 1940-1945, 7,942 miners lost their lives in coal mining accidents and explosions, an average of 1,588 per year.  Thousands more died of black lung disease.  Following the UMWA strike of 1946, accidental death was reduced significantly in mines.  Between 1947-1966, 9,498 miners died, an average of 475 per year.

Ephesians 6:5-9

This is an extremely difficult passage because Paul seems to acquiesce to the institution of slavery. We want Paul to clearly call for an end to the practice. However, given Paul’s understanding of the Old Testament, it is likely that he viewed slavery to be the equivalent of indentured servitude that was clearly meant to be temporary. That said, how does his message to “masters” shift the power dynamic in the relationship and ultimately subvert it? What principles from this passage—if any—could we apply to current employment structures? What might Paul say today to owners and managers of low-wage employees?

For an interesting look into the mind of Paul on the topic of slavery, consider reading the short letter to Philemon, the master of Onesimus, a runaway slave.

On This Day….  Worker Justice during Holy Week.

This evening, 366 businesses that have scored a 100% Corporate Equality Index for LGBT employees will be honored by the Human Rights Campaign in Washington, DC.   In 29 states, a person can be fired because of their sexual orientation.  And it’s not just in jobs at religious organizations or faith-based institutions.  It’s any job.  And in Michigan, a person can be fired if the employer “thinks” (s)he is gay!  Do you think Jesus would have an opinion about this?

Matthew 23:12; James 1:9-11

What jobs are at the bottom of the “corporate ladder”? Who are the workers that get the brass ring? Why do you think we aspire to the brass ring when those who get it end up at the bottom of the ladder in Jesus’ new order? How can we esteem our brothers and sisters who have been “humbled” by the economic system?

On this day….  Worker justice during Holy Week.

Lisa Sharon Harper invites us to resist unjust authority–just as Jesus did–during this Holy Week and to journey with those who have been oppressed.

Matthew 21:12-13

The temple had become a marketplace where money was exchanged and pilgrims could purchase animals for sacrifice. What is Jesus’ response to what he sees? What about the current marketplace of commerce and employment has made you angry. Are there ways that you (or together with other people of faith) can interrupt business as usual? Do you think our Fast Food Fast has had any impact on the way the marketplace operates? What more could we do?

Follow Jesus on his journey to the cross.  

Over 80 people from Logan Square congregations marched, sang, prayed and occupied the local McDonalds restaurant, delivering a message to the McDonald’s Corporation, “Pay your workers!”  The Chicago Tribune posted a story about the event and promoted our Fast Food Fast.

Our Worker Justice Symposium received a brief item on the Spanish language Univision news.  Special thanks to Aisha Pulido (People’s Tribune), Kyle Gilbertson (Chicago Teacher’s Union), Jorge Mújica (Arise Chicago) and Andy Willis (People’s Tribune) for educating us on the issues of worker justice and for helping us envision an economy of grace.

You can hear more about the economy of grace when Andy Willis preaches at Kimball Avenue Church on Sunday, April 12, at 10 am.

These Utah high school students caused quite a stir with their chocolate chip cookies!

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(Thanks to Joy Ray for finding this news item)

Is slavery one of the ingredients in the packaging of wild caught seafood?  Probably.  According to an AP story, men from Burma are routinely enslaved to work the trawlers around Indonesia.  And because most of the work happens offshore, the slavery is hard to document and track.  These men, held by the “Lord of Death”, need the gospel of life!

(Thanks to Lisa Bartelt for drawing attention to this story.)