Splinter

Better ways to support striking laborers

By 📝 massandra on August 20, 2025

Strikers

Good intentions

When I first wrote this post, my intent was to draw attention to the hard-working sanitation workers at Republic Services, who are currently on strike, asking for better wages. While I still agree with the premise (and though the workers are still on strike), I’ve since learned that there are better ways to signal support than what I originally wrote.

Do this instead

If I were to rewrite this article today, I would focus on:

Attending the picket line
Raising awareness publicly
Supporting and amplifying union communication
Connecting with political and local leaders
Contributing to strike funds

Though, for now, this splinter will just focus on the key areas of improvement.

Splinter of Support Mass sanitation workers

framing “TL;DR: Show solidarity with underpaid, hard-working Massachusetts sanitation workers as they strike for better rights by using the letter template at the bottom of this post.”
→ Weak urgency and framing

This section doesn’t inspire the reader to act, doesn’t communicate the time frame, and is ultimately too passive. An effective call to action compels readers to take action if they see fit.
framing “A fair wage is a reflection of the skill, effort, and potential dangers involved in their work.”
→ Lack of personal stakes

Sanitation workers fighting for their rights impacts all of us. This should have connected the benefits of collective bargaining and sanitary neighborhoods to the reader’s interests more explicitly.
logic “Republic Services has a unique opportunity here to address the concerns of its workers, resolve this situation, and emerge with public support. I sincerely hope that Republic Services will engage with the striking workers in good faith and find a resolution that acknowledges their hard work.”
→ Toothless impact

A “strongly worded letter” sent privately to a communications team was never likely to have an impact. This letter was easy to ignore, had no consequences, and no follow-through. True action would have put public pressure on Republic Services to act.

tags: strike sanitation awareness union action

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Better ways to support striking laborers

Good intentions

Do this instead

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