Labor Law Reform Not Just For Unions

[babylonsister]

http://www.tompaine.com/articles/2007/05/10/labor_law_reform_not_just_for_unions.php

Labor Law Reform Not Just For Unions
Peter Dreier and Kelly Candaele
May 10, 2007

Peter Dreier is professor of politics at Occidental College and coauthor of several books, including The Next Los Angeles: The Struggle for a Livable City . Kelly Candaele, a trustee of the Los Angeles Community College District, has recently produced the documentary film,"When Hope and History Rhymed," about the Northern Ireland peace process.


A bill now moving through Congress to expand workers' rights could be the most important legislation in decades to advance the concerns of environmentalists, public schools, higher education, senior citizens, universal health care, housing, women's and gay rights, and civil rights.

The bill—called the Employee Free Choice Act (EFCA)—is understandably the top priority for America's labor unions. It would mean better wages, benefits and working conditions for all employees. It would also make it more likely for unions to win organizing drives in workplaces.

But why should other constituencies rally behind this effort to reform the nation's labor laws? The reason is simple. The labor movement is still the most effective political force for electing liberal candidates at the local, state and federal levels. Once in office, pro-labor politicians are typically also the strongest advocates of strong environment laws, funding for public schools and higher education, civil rights, women's rights, gay rights, universal health insurance, affordable housing and protection of Social Security. A strong labor movement benefits these other agendas and causes, which have been under attack by conservative forces in recent years.

The Employee Free Choice Act would level the playing field between management and workers, making it more likely that union organizing campaigns will be successful. It would help reverse the labor movement’s four-decade decline in membership.

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[Sherman A1]

1. Thanks for the link

I will forward this on to my Union Bros & Sisters in my little weekly underground newsletter that I have sent out since our little management / labor hiccup of 2003 (which I call the October Revolution) here in the St. Louis Grocery Industry.




:hi:

[Omaha Steve]

2. I too thank you for the post

I'm so glad to see more labor stories getting posted by more people in the last 6 months on the DU.