Restoring Economic Prosperity One Union Job at a Time

by: WellstoneAction

Fri Dec 12, 2008 at 15:37

Despite rampant anti-union sentiment in the media, the good news for Al Franken in the Minnesota recount today puts the Employe Free Choice Act back on the table. In June of 2007, All forty-nine Democrats (including the ailing Tim Johnson, who did not vote), both Independents, and Arlen Specter were in favor of it. With an eight-seat pickup, which Franken would cement, there would be enough votes to pass EFCA. Still, even if Franken wins, this will be a big fight. Clearly, the media is itching for it, and Democrats like Blanche Lincoln will not be easy to hold on the vote--promoted by Chris Bowers

Originally posted @ Wellstone.org Restoring Economic Prosperity One Union Job at a Time.

By Erik Peterson, Director of Education / Labor Program Director

In all of the talk about economic recession, collapsing stock prices, Wall Street versus Main Street, and the best way to kick start the economy, let's not forget that the best path to the middle class and economic security is a good job with union representation.  Passing the Employee Free Choice Act will make it easier for workers to form unions when a majority of their coworkers sign cards saying they want to join.  It should be part of any comprehensive economic stimulus package to help revitalize the American middle class. 

In the midst of our last major economic collapse, in 1935, Congress recognized this fundamental link between organized workers and economic prosperity when they first protected the right of workers to organize.  "It is the policy of the United States...," they declared, "to encourage[e] the practice and procedure of collective bargaining and [to protect] the exercise by workers of full freedom of association, self organization, and designation of representatives of their own choosing...."  That is, to organize and join a union.  Congress saw clearly that the balance of power was tilted against workers toward big business, just as it is skewed today.  The Employee Free Choice Act will begin to restore some balance.

(more in the extended entry)