Affiliate! Unite! Legislation! Unions make a distinction and you may be a part of it immediately
AFL-CIO is just one of the big unions pushing for the PRO law, a way to help workers organize. Are you wondering why it matters? They tell us about it.
Question: Why is the PRO Act necessary?
Reply: Workers in America don’t get a fair shake today. Our basic labor law, which aims to protect workers’ rights to unionize and bargain collectively, has been broken. For the past several decades, employers have broken the National Labor Relations Act (NLRA) with impunity. An entire anti-union industry is now working non-stop to prevent working people from exercising our rights. Today employers are charged with breaking the law in more than 40% of all unionized elections.
They lie. You threaten and force. And they routinely fire union supporters. Workers are forced to
Attend mandatory meetings with one item on the agenda: union bashing. These messages of fear and intimidation come from the very people who control our paychecks, how much time we can spend with our families, and whether we have a job tomorrow. And the penalties for employers who engage in this illegal behavior are irrelevant.
Campaign action
Over the past few weeks, I’ve seen firsthand the treatment of union members when Frito-Lay employees in Topeka, Kansas, shared horrific stories of management abuse and lack of fair wages.
Associate! Unite! Law! is designed to address these issues. It goes beyond writing about a problem – it addresses one of Daily Kos core values that act on our beliefs and work to make things better.
In many journals, you will likely see a box on the right side that specifically says, “Take Action.” It is true of the old axiom that the squeaky wheel gets the grease. This squeaky wheel should never cause workers to be worked to death, and petitions like this one help you get in touch and join forces with others – unite.
Unions are a key component in the success of the Democrats. They represent the working class rather than billionaires and don’t just offer campaign funds; it is reflected in the labor needed to get voters to the polls, educate the electorate, knock on doors and get involved.
Tom Conway, President of the United Steelworkers Union, wrote on Daily Kos about the importance of the PRO Act.
Keith Aubrey’s construction job forced him to work long stretches with no day off, even in the rain and lightning, all for a measly paycheck and health benefits so dire he could barely afford a doctor’s visit.
After being laid off during the pandemic last year, Aubrey decided to take control of his destiny and landed a union manufacturing position that changed his life.
COVID-19 has shown Americans that it is no longer enough to get along with jobs that are barely paying the household bills. You need family-supporting wages that Take care of childcare costs, Health care that provides high quality coverage in case of emergency, and other essential services that unions routinely provide to their members.
As the nation emerges from the pandemic, more and more workers are at the same tipping point as Aubrey.
People are discovering that they are being priced for a decent life, burdened with debt and runaway billionaires in management who are far more interested in fun forays into space than paying good wages to their employees.
Our Connect! Unite! Law! Team is here to support new and existing volunteer leaders of each regional and state group and to help them recruit, organize and run social and action events. We invite you to join in these community building efforts. There are many ways to get involved. If there isn’t a group in your area to join, please start one.
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