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ECONOMIC JUSTICE
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HISTORY:
An Economic Justice Committee was formed in 2003, as part of the Council's overall economic justice program. The committee is staffed on a very part-time basis by Program Associate Barbara Zelter. The mission of the committee is to promote the Council's long-held policies and values for economic fairness, through popular education and community organizing. Its major emphases are: (1) Support for unions and collective bargaining, and other worker-led initiatives, (2) Promoting a Sabbath economics awareness and practice, and (3) Exchange of information and mutual support among committee members and allies.
In March 2004 the Executive Board of the Council adopted a labor policy statement (available on the Council website, www.nccouncilofchurches.org ). This paper has some NC labor history, theological reasoning for our pro-labor stance, and the general position of the Council regarding work, wages, and organized labor. It provides an updated pro-labor platform and authorizes the work of this committee in particular.
Since the primary venue for Council work is through its affiliated denominations and congregations, this committee draws its membership in part from these Council members. We also seek committee members whose fields of work fit our goals.
The Economic Justice Committee has endorsed the following initiatives: Witness: Justice at Smithfield Campaign (United Food and Commercial Workers and Smithfield plant workers); UE#150's Worker Fairness Campaign (on public workers' drive for collective bargaining rights in NC); The Farm Labor Organizing Committee's (now successful) drive for a three-way contract with Mt. Olive Pickle Company and the NC Growers Association; and the Farmworker Advocacy Network's effort to improve the NC Migrant Housing Act. We support them through letters, seeking congregational support, participating in actions and events and publicity, etc.
In addition, the committee staff has published "Job Loss: A Guidebook for Pastors." It provides information on governmental and other resources for individuals who lose jobs, biblical context regarding labor fairness, contacts for economic justice organizations that deal with wages and fairness for families. This is available on the Council website for free as a download.
In September 2004, the committee along with the Council's African-American Advisory Caucus sponsored "Let Justice Roll; Faith and Community Groups Against Poverty," in Wilson , NC . This was one of a series of gatherings around the country during Presidential election season to challenge politicians to act against poverty. There were 49 co-sponsoring organizations from labor, community, and faith groups. The Let Justice Roll Steering Committee continues relations with the National Council of Churches and Center for Community Action sponsors of the series. This is part of a state/national partnership around wages, tax fairness, and economic justice.
The committee meets three times each year, from 10-3, in various NC locations. Task groups meet as they choose. Most dialog and activity is by phone, e-mail, and other non-travel means. Participation is voluntary, and no financial recompense can be paid.
Committee Covenant:
This will be a committee acknowledging the power of the Spirit to bring alive our collective striving for justice for all God's people. Rooted in this strength, we will work together to be a cogent and clear faith-based voice of economic fairness in our state and beyond. We will commit to mutual support in our work together, shared burdens, and equal respect and dignity for all members. We will seek open honesty, fair processes, and diligence in adopted tasks. We will adhere to the mission of building the voice of the church and community for social/economic conditions that "free the oppressed."
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