Employee Free Choice Act: Unions mean better wages, benefits

[Omaha Steve]

http://www.dailyrecord.com/article/20090719/OPINION03/90718016/1005/NEWS01/Employee-Free-Choice-Act--Unions-mean-better-wages--benefits

CHARLES WOWKANECH • July 19, 2009

The endless parade of headlines about the dreadful economic condition of the American middle class, combined with stories of corporate executives gorging themselves on bonuses, and Wall Street firms getting bailed out with taxpayer dollars to compensate for a job poorly done has people rightfully enraged. I get asked a question by struggling workers on a regular basis: "How can workers keep their heads above water when it appears the only people that are benefiting from this economy are the wealthy?"

My answer is simple — join a union.

Union representation adds up to better wages and better benefits. Unionized employees, on average, earn 28 percent more than non-union employees, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. As of March, 2008, 79 percent of union workers were covered by health insurance through their jobs, compared with only 52 percent of non-union workers.

Are you worried about retirement security when you look at your 401(k)? Well, when it comes to workers having a stable, defined benefit pension plan, unions deliver once again. The Bureau of Labor Statistics shows that 77 percent of union workers have such a pension, compared with only 20 percent of non-union workers. In short, unions ensure that our economy benefits everyone, not just Wall Street and corporate executives.

Unfortunately, due to outdated labor laws, it has become difficult to establish a union in the workplace, even when the vast majority of workers vote to do so. Why?

Well, those corporate executives I mentioned hire law firms that provide union avoidance services. They also manipulate labor law to thwart a worker's ability to freely join a union and also resort to breaking the law. For example, research from Cornell University shows that in 34 percent of organizing campaigns, private-sector employers illegally fire workers because they want to form a union. I've always found it troubling that workers can join the military and are called to defend our nation overseas, but when they return, they don't have the ability to freely join a union without employer harassment under our current laws.

FULL story at link.

[jwirr]

1. And even beyond all the obvious - Unions teach us to work together

for the common good.

[crickets]

2. K&R -nt

[Wednesdays]

3. K&R

:kick: