Bernie Sanders Has A Plan To Revive Labor Unions

[jg10003]

Source: Huffington Post

Sanders’ bill, called the Workplace Democracy Act, would remove several of the major barriers to organized labor’s growth.

It would ban “right to work” laws, which allow employees to opt out of paying union dues even though the union must still bargain on their behalf, leading to what unions call “free-riding.” In recent years, Republicans and business groups have pushed to expand the reach of right-to-work laws, which are now on the books in 28 states, including traditional labor strongholds like Michigan and Wisconsin.

The bill would also guarantee workers the right to form a union after a majority in their workplace have signed cards saying that is their wish. “Card check,” as the process is known, lets organizers bypass the holding of a secret-ballot election, before which employers often pressure workers to vote no.


Read more: https://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/bernie-sanders-revive-labor-unions_us_5af3556de4b0859d11d00d39

[vi5]

1. Bernie aside....

Organized labor is one of those groups that I feel has been left behind by the Democratic party. Not so much that it forgives any of them for switching to Trump, but more so that the Dem party is not entirely blameless for the decline in unions over the past 25-30 years.

It's one of those areas where not doing anything to harm the cause in question (organized labor) has just not been enough to stem the bleeding.

I wish I could believe that unions are something that can be revived and strengthened again but I fear that's not the case since I'm not entirely sure that a majority of our Senators and Reps have the stomach to take on this fight in the numbers that would be needed.

[LiberalLovinLug]

7. Its important that it be kept in the spotlight, once in awhile.

If Bernie didn't do it maybe someone else would have, maybe not. I'm glad he continues to fight against the windmill, even if nothing much comes of it. Because it at least it started this conversation. Even the cynical posters below have to admit they were forced to think about it again, even if to disparage the effort.

[appalachiablue]

16. Reminder, Labor Unions: Democracy in the workplace

[George II]

2. This bill has been introduced in one form or another going way back into the 1990s.

I wonder how this one compares to the others.

Just three:

Workforce Democracy and Fairness Act of 2017
Workplace Democracy Act of 2015
Workplace Democracy Act of 1999

[Hortensis]

9. +1. That Dems don't fight for unions is pure right-wing

propaganda. Pants on fire grade.

Good for Bernie for bringing this forward yet again, but for sure there's nothing new about any of it.

If all those among his followers, and those who went to Jill Stein, who are for unions had voted to make it happen, we'd have won in 2016. But critical numbers didn't. Why didn't they?

[KPN]

11. Results maybe?

You are correct about RW propaganda. But there is nevertheless a somewhat legitimate perspective on the part of some working class that the established "system" is more successfully working against as opposed to for them. They are/were wrong in assuming that Trump would be an improvement, and are wrong in thinking the Rs may be more inclined to support their interests. And many of them voted for the idiot we've got for other reasons entirely. At any rate, some just want noticeable results in their favor for a change. As a party, if and when we gain control, we would do well to deliver on that.

[KPN]

12. You are right. The primary sponsor of the Workplace Democracy Act of 1999 was guess who ...

Bernie Sanders. And I wonder who sponsored/introduced the 2015 Act -- oh yeah, Bernie Sanders on the Senate side, Mark Pocan on the House side, on the same day.

Pretty transparent objective you have there George. Way to spread the hate.

[George II]

14. Let me provide a quote:

"some just want noticeable results in their favor for a change"

Wonder where I read that?

[KPN]

15. Right. Bernie keeps pushing for them. He's a pit bull in that regard ... and having an impact.

The party has actually shifted noticeably to the left (on paper at least) since Bernie threw his hat in the ring in 2015 -- not that there aren't others having an effect in this regard. I see results in that, don't you?

[LSFL]

3. I am sure this will meet with the success

That we have grown to expect.

[Me.]

4. Yeah, Right

all hat no cattle

[ToxMarz]

6. Pretty much

He's more of a private Think Tank than an Action Figure. I don't have a problem with his ideas in general, just no strategy in implementing. His grandiose pronouncements rally the WELL ORGANIZED opposition before he could ever get anything started.

[elmac]

5. nothing good will ever see the light of day

as long as the fascists are in control and they will be for a long, long time.

[Puppyjive]

8. Minimum wage and union dues

Some unions just don't cut the mustard. I believe it's the union that covers Safeway personnel. The new workers make minimum wage. They perform the same dutes as most employees because the turnover is so high. Why the hell are they forced to pay union dues when they make minimum wage? I called their union rep years ago and asked them when they held union meetings with the young people. They said they don't travel in winter conditions. I asked if they could explain why a paycheck would be "in the hole" because the worker was not given enough hours to cover the mandatory union dues. No adequate response was given. Some unions are just bad.

[Igel]

10. I've seen that "card check" provision in action.

It's a good way of increasing union representation.

Thing is, organizers get possible card-signers into arguments, one-on-one or many-on-one and continue to cajole and persuade until the card's signed just to stop the harassment. Even those who probably would vote against the union sign the damned card.

Instead of the playing field being tilted a bit towards the employer, it tilts the field rather strongly towards the union. All in the interest of "true" fairness, which is to say, biased towards the side of truth and justice (which is always the side the speaker's on). So I think it's not a good thing, unless subject to a lot of regulation and regulatory enforcement.

[KPN]

13. Right on Bernie. Consistently working for the little people.

As in the past, this Bill won't even get to a vote, but eventually through its consistent resurrection over time, it will ... and it will someday pass in one form or another. The GOP flim flam is becoming increasingly apparent among workers nationally. Keep the pedal to the metal Bernie.

[ehrnst]

18. The thing is - if you know it won't get passed

there isn't a lot of incentive to put a lot of effort, energy, and real research into determining the details that will make it realistic, or even possible.

For instance, when Jill Stein promises solar panels and massive defense department cuts... She gets credit for "being a visionary progressive" but knows that she will never, ever have to actually deliver on those promises. She can blame "the establishment" for "preventing her" from actually making this happen, instead of the very real obstacles, politically, practically and economically of what she is promising.

[Blue_Tires]

17. It will never, ever get out of committee

and after today we'll never hear of this bill ever again, but at least he has something out there...

[Uncle Joe]

19. Kicked and recommended.

Thanks for the thread jg

[brooklynite]

20. If only he had a strategy to get his plan implemented.