An orange cat named Jorts has become an internet sensation and has turned out to be something of a mascot for America’s labor movement.
It all started with a story about cats in the workplace, which was posted by an anonymous writer on Reddit in December of last year. “One of the cats (Jean) is a tortie we’ve had for years. The other cat (Jorts) is a large orange cat and a recent addition. Jorts is just… a simple guy. For example, Jorts can’t open a door even when it’s open – he pushes it if he’s going in or out, so he often closes the door he’s trying to go through,” the post said.
The story ends with the anonymous writer’s friend, Pam, pointing out that the author was “perpetuating ethnic stereotypes by saying orange cats are dumb”.
As the story gained attention online, groups supporting Jorts and Jean emerged and the orange cat even got a personal Twitter account. @JortsTheCat, the Twitter account with a bio that reads “Jorts the cat. Jean help me”, now has 1,42,500 followers.
like cat gained popularity, pro-worker posts appeared on the account, and Jorts emerged as an advocate for labor rights, fighting against inequality and capitalism. From funny cat memes to tips on how to form a union, the Twitter account has become an online hub for supporters of the labor movement. A paw sign represents Jorts’ signature as inspirational letters to workers circulate on Twitter.
US Senator Elizabeth Warren was one of the users who commented. Warren tweeted, “Bailey stands with Jorts (on all fours) and I stand with the working people of America who are making their voices heard and building their power. Unions built the middle class and unions will rebuild the middle class.
WOW https://t.co/ibzJ7mxq5l
— Jorts (and Jean) (@JortsTheCat) February 20, 2022
The labor movement gained momentum once again in America as union efforts and strikes were organized. After a union won the right to represent Starbucks workers in the US last December, according to a CNN Report, Jorts threw some letters to the workers as a token of appreciation.
A big part of why I’m trying so hard to join/form a union is because I want Jorts the Cat to be proud of me. *sigh* one day. (If anyone has any advice on forming a library union, please let me know.) https://t.co/CNUuRfGjoW
— Bleeding Librarian, MLIS (@spookysharkbear) February 10, 2022
Check out this cat in her harness walking through the Starbucks drive-thru with her little sign that says Solidarity (with workers) Furever WHAT A STAR WOW https://t.co/UDQGWoxNtW
— Jorts (and Jean) (@JortsTheCat) February 19, 2022
Fez was taking a well-deserved nap, but wanted to make sure you knew that Starbucks fired seven workers in Memphis yesterday for union organizing. He also wanted to remind you that firing workers for organizing violates federal law, even if the company makes up a silly excuse. pic.twitter.com/G3VOcTQNGo
— Dave Wagner (@Dbwagner104) February 9, 2022
Raise a paw for the brave @coffee_comrades workers in Detroit just trying to level the playing field! (I’ll try to get a friend to deliver this in person, don’t worry) https://t.co/Fn7rp3eIGw pic.twitter.com/PJmpUfUnpq
— Jorts (and Jean) (@JortsTheCat) February 18, 2022
A Jorts thread account talks about how to form a union in the workplace, encourages people to talk to colleagues who already agree, get advice from unions or local organizers, work together to build support, show that support through an election or “card”. check”. The start came against the backdrop of Amazon workers’ fight to form a union in Alabama, it is reported CNN.
It is so exciting that so many workers are asking how to form a union where you work! Jean helped me make a thread of basic tips that apply to most workers in the US pic.twitter.com/z18qtBHadL
— Jorts (and Jean) (@JortsTheCat) February 8, 2022
Promiscuous https://t.co/I94p5uSVso
— Jorts (and Jean) (@JortsTheCat) February 6, 2022
@JortsTheCat turned me on to this FINE song which gave me a 1970’s flashback! Thanks Jorts! Thank you @MariahforAthens 💜! https://t.co/vPG39RqPpw
— Carol Queen (@carolqueen) February 6, 2022
Jorts is right, farm workers face great odds. We don’t have much choice in how to form a union.
Even in CA, one of the few states where we have any union rights. https://t.co/dPr4B2ww1o pic.twitter.com/0CB50Pka7s
— United Farm Workers (@UFWupdates) February 8, 2022
CNN Business quoted the user behind the Twitter account as saying that Jorts and Jean live full-time in a 24×7 workplace. “If a cat is sick, they will come home with someone… They live at work, but there is always someone in the place,” the person said.
Commenting on the cats’ knowledge of their online popularity, the person said: “I almost swear Jean knows. She has become more elusive to spend time wherever she can be photographed.” The person added that the explosion of fan art and memes was fun and really touching.
