Historic: Bernie Sanders Files Sweeping Labor Bill Eliminating ‘Right-To-Work’ Laws

[Fawke Em]

There is no denying the United States has an enormous problem with wealth inequality. As one of the wealthiest countries in the world, it is shameful how little income mobility the average American worker actually has. Part of the reason for this, is the roadblocks Republicans have put up to keep hardworking people from unionizing, because of their desire to protect corporations’ bottom lines. Fortunately for us, Democratic presidential candidate Senator Bernie Sanders is putting workers’ rights before CEO bonuses and introduced a bill on Tuesday that would make is easier for workers to band together and demand better pay — and treatment — from their employers.

In March 2015, Scott Walker “proudly” made Wisconsin the 25th right-to-work state, dealing a devastating blow to workers in the state. Right-to-work laws are the right-wing’s favorite way to eliminate the power of unions in their states. They sell it to their constituents as a “protection” for employees against unions, but what the laws really do is leave them vulnerable to the corporations they work for. In Florida, for instance, a worker can be arbitrarily fired and negotiating higher wages is almost unheard of. Sanders’ bill would no longer allow state preemption of federal labor laws and, most importantly, it would make right-to-work laws a thing of the past.

If passed, the Workplace Democracy Act, sponsored by Sanders and Democratic Rep. Mark Pocan, would rectify current laws that deny American laborers their fundamental right to elect people to represent their best interests and negotiate the “terms and conditions of their employment or other mutual aid or protection” on their behalf.

http://www.occupydemocrats.com/historic-bernie-sanders-files-sweeping-labor-bill-eliminating-right-to-work-laws/

Go, Bernie, Go!

[Snotcicles]

1. Hey labor! who loves ya babe? .... Bernie does. nt

[TheBlackAdder]

25. HR determines compensation by: Private Sector, Public Sector, and Regional Same Labor...

.


When one segment of the workforce's salary or benefits packages drop, it affects ALL employment.


You can be in a private company, and when your raise/promotion cycle comes around, you might find cuts or salary holds that go far beyond inflation or the business profitability. That is because other segments are dragging down wages for everyone.

Business loves this, because not only does it weaken union power, it drops employee compensation for the whole region.


.

[ibegurpard]

2. Won't go anywhere with repukes or corporate Dems

But good for him to bring light to this issue. It's all about destroying the power of labor.

[Scuba]

29. It won't pass (anytime soon) but will illustrate the divide between Bernie and the Repukes.

[Major Hogwash]

30. Like the Grand Canyon!!

"Those who oppress us now will serve us later."

Thus spake Zarathustra.

[Duckfan]

36. and Hillary

(just think TPP)

[hrmjustin]

3. Now that is a great idea!

[Zorra]

4. Right to work laws are horrid, and this is a much needed bill. nt

[Fawke Em]

6. Yep. I live in a right-to-be-fired state.

[classykaren]

38. I tried to start a Union in one.....Florida

[awoke_in_2003]

42. So do I...

Luckily the company I work for is based at LaGuardia airport, and we all live by their guidelines

[SoapBox]

27. Horrid is right!

When I took a new job in Arizona in 1984, I was told that AZ was a right to work state...they told me the company had the right to fire me at anytime they wanted...oh ya, I could quit if I wanted.

I was a bit surprised because I didn't know that I had no rights.

[reformist2]

5. This is genius if he keeps cranking out proposals like this.... Hillary won't be able to match them!

Who cares whether they have no chance of passing... each proposal will force Hillary to comment on whether she agrees or not with the substance of the bill.

[Fawke Em]

7. And they're legitimate issues that should be in front of Congress.

As opposed to defunding Planned Parenthood, which shouldn't even be an issue.

[beam me up scottie]

8. OUTSTANDING!

That's my Bernie!

[mythology]

9. A good bill

Sadly the current Congressional leadership won't bring it to the floor, but it does help to differentiate the parties which has long term beneficial impact. Hopefully the Supreme Court won't further damage unions with the upcoming case in this session.

[Armstead]

10. THis is a sneaky one....

"Extends NLRA coverage to workers for U.S. owned companies that operate in Free Trade Agreement countries"


I like it

[Fawke Em]

12. End run against and in front of the TPP, perhaps?

[Armstead]

13. ya think?

[jfern]

11. It's time to repeal Taft-Hartley

[NonMetro]

39. Agreed. Taft-Hartley Needs To Go!

That conspiracy against the working people of this country started with that, and we have been living with the consequences ever since! Go Bernie!

[Agony]

14. Workplace Democracy Act, sponsored by Sanders. Enough is Enough.

Go, Bernie, Go!

[msongs]

15. he is suddenly full of good legislation...now that he is running for president lol nt

[Major Nikon]

19. Sure, "suddenly" since 1991

http://www.govtrack.us/congress/bills/browse?sponsor=400357

[artislife]

22. Is that Liberal avatar sarcasm?

[Dustlawyer]

16. All the evil Texan employer's heads will explode!!!

[NealK]

17. K&R

[Live and Learn]

18. K&R nt

[appalachiablue]

20. Geaux Bernie Geaux!

Give 'em H*ll Bernie!

[RichVRichV]

21. It's not just about getting things passed.

The key is to force them to take positions against good bills over and over again, then use those positions to bludgeon them in upcoming elections.

[Fawke Em]

23. Absolutely!

[marym625]

33. he's also often criticized for votes on certain bills

That he voted against because of the add-ons by republicans. Add-ons that are bad and have zero to do with the original bill.

He just rocks it all over the place

[delrem]

24. spot on

[liberal_at_heart]

26. This is the kind of leadership we need!

[Enthusiast]

28. Kicked and recommended!

[jwirr]

31. K&R

[marym625]

32. K&R!

#FeelTheBern
#Bernie2016

[Third Doctor]

34. We need this man.

[YabaDabaNoDinoNo]

35. We the people need to stop buying non Union made products

Then this law would not be needed

Even with the law the people are going to have to stop buying non Union made products.

People boycott companies that miss treat non whites, women and gays but few people boycott non Union made products

If people had refused to buy us made Hondas and toyotas they would have closed down the plants and went home instead the non Union factories florished with Americans buying non Union made cars

The sick sad part is many buyers justified it with well it was built in America. Some are even proud of the fact is is non union made.


And the race to the bottom continues.

[classykaren]

37. OMG I always prayed for something like this.

[NonMetro]

40. Right To Work = Right To Be A Slave!

The Republican Party Is waging class warfare on the working people of this country. Go Bernie!

[AzDar]

41. Badly needed.

Feel The Bern!!

[mike_c]

43. if this doesn't sew up all the remaining union endorsements...

...then those unions are not representing the best interests of their membership. Outlawing right to work legislation is the big enchilada. I wonder if Senator Sanders might also try to repeal Taft-Hartley?

[Uncle Joe]

44. Kicked and recommended.

Thanks for the thread, Fawke Em.