In a speech in Chicago June 19, Auxiliary Bishop Gabino Zavala of Los Angeles called on labor unions to reach out to the poor and vulnerable.

"Throughout its history, organized labor has stood up for the poor and vulnerable --- protecting new immigrants, fighting the exploitation of child laborers and demonstrating for civil rights," he said at the national conference of the Interfaith Worker Justice network.

"These efforts must continue in the present economy," he added. "Unions must reach out to new audiences of the poor and vulnerable, including immigrants, seasonal and migrant workers and those who lack the skills to participate in the current work environment. Unions must look beyond the self-interest of their current members and work for the good of those who have no voice or power."

Interfaith Worker Justice is a Chicago-based nationwide network of clergy and other people of faith working in support of workers' rights. Bishop Zavala spoke on the final day of the network's June 17-19 conference.

In his talk Bishop Zavala highlighted seven themes of Catholic social teaching and related them to "the right to organize and the role of unions."

"All workers' rights are based in the inherent dignity of the human person," he said.

"Unions grew out of the struggle for social justice, not class struggle," he said "Over the past century, unions have been an important force in ensuring that workers are treated with the dignity that is their due."

"The second theme is the call to family, community and participation," he said. "At their best, unions are the embodiment of this principle. By organizing, workers combine their efforts to ensure the benefit of all."

Speaking of "rights and responsibilities" as another Catholic social teaching theme, he said the ultimate goal of unions is not to get the greatest economic benefit for their members, but "to help workers take their appropriate role in the building of a more just social order."

He said that includes not only fair wages and fair work, but a safety net for workers facing hardship, safe work places, "a business culture that respects the needs of families" and other social values.

He said the "option for the poor and vulnerable" that should always be a driving force for unions, reflects Jesus' own "special affinity for those who were marginalized in society."

Catholic social teaching highlights the dignity of work and the rights of workers, he said. "The relationship of this theme to the role of organized labor is clearest," he commented. "The principal reason for the right of workers to organize is to ensure that the rights of workers are protected ... that all persons are treated with justice."

On the theme of solidarity, Bishop Zavala said unions are challenged to focus on the common good of all, "not short-term self-interest."

"We live in an economy that is increasingly globalized and interdependent. This structure presents new moral and economic dangers," he said.

He warned against demonizing foreign workers or immigrants as a threat to American workers. "Solidarity reminds us that our brothers and sisters are never the enemy.... Solidarity means that our organizations must reach across boundaries to forge collaborations and undertake efforts that enhance the life and dignity of all," he said.

Citing "care for God's creation" as a final theme of Catholic social teaching, he said unions must work to promote policies that will protect the environment and use resources wisely.

The day before Bishop Zavala spoke, the Interfaith Worker Justice network led a rally protesting alleged labor rights violations and resistance to unionizing by the management of Resurrection Health Care, the largest Catholic hospital system in Illinois.

About 300 protesters gathered June 18 outside the Chicago Marriott Hotel, where the Catholic Health Association was holding its annual meeting, calling on the CHA to urge Resurrection, a CHA affiliate, to respect workers' rights.

The American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees has been working for four years to organize some 8,000 Resurrection workers. Last year the National Labor Relations Board issued a complaint against Resurrection, alleging that it interfered with and coerced workers who were trying to join the union, in violation of federal law.

In a statement June 18 on its Web site, Resurrection Health Care said it "is committed to a fair and just workplace" and rejected allegations that it is anti-union. "We affirm the right of all our employees to choose or not choose a labor union through a secret-ballot election," it said.

Congress is currently considering the Employee Free Choice Act, which would eliminate the need for an NLRB-supervised secret-ballot election if a majority of workers in a company sign union cards. It would also provide for binding arbitration for the first contract if the parties cannot reach agreement.

Linda Chavez-Thompson, executive vice president of the AFL-CIO, also addressed the rally, saying many workers in the Resurrection system are so poorly paid they "cannot even afford health care at the hospital at which they work."

---CNS