The Tea Party found its banner in the Gadsden flag, but I don’t know whether the union protesters will come to adopt a flag of their own. I saw that protesters at the Capitol were flying the Tautnon flag, used by patriots in Taunton, Mass.
The flag symbolized their hope for liberty and equal rights as part of Britain (“union”), before additional injuries drove them to call for independence.
The contemporary use of the flag in support of collective bargaining plays on the word union with a new meaning.
It’s notable that the original use of the flag showed that Americans were patient and hopeful, and sought liberty proudly and patiently before Britain’s repeated abuse made independence necessary.
In that way, contemporary use of the Taunton flag draws upon Americans’ historic hopes for compromise and peace.