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The age of inequality has coincided with a dramatic decline in the power of organized labor. Union membership in the United States reached its historic peak in 1979 at about 21 million, representing about 21 percent of the workforce. Today membership stands at about 15 million and represents about 12 percent. When you exclude public-employee unions (more than half of all union members today work not for a private company but for the government), union membership has dropped to about 7 percent of the private-sector workforce.

June 5 was a dark day as GOP Gov. Scott Walker won his recall election. Wisconsin must be a huge wakeup call for all of us ? for the labor movement, and for our progressive allies and partners. Wisconsin sadly demonstrated that the 1 percent can reach into just about every aspect of our lives.

As CWA activists keep up the fight for fair contracts, bargaining rights, economic justice and a stronger democracy, that old adage has never been truer. We can?t go it alone. That?s why we?ve joined together with our progressive allies in our push for bargaining rights, secure jobs, fair trade, good healthcare for all and retirement security. Together, our growing coalition is tackling climate change, the DREAM act, immigration reform and measures to decrease home foreclosures.

CWA activists, Jobs with Justice members and 99% Power allies are ready for tomorrow?s Verizon Day of Action. There will be a lot of new actions that send a message not only to Verizon executives but to members of its board of directors that workers deserve a fair contract, not more corporate greed.