On Monday, a state Senate committee voted to put a constitutional amendment on the state ballot in November that would undercut the right of workers to strong unions. See related story. Going under the names “Right to Work” and “Freedom of Employment,” it would allow workers covered by union contracts to avoid paying their fair share of the costs of representation, yet still enjoy the benefits of the contract.
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| Workers jammed the hallways at the Capitol. |
Having a union contract “strengthens the fire department,” said Tjaden, a captain in the Minneapolis Fire Department.
“Back in the day before unions, a lot of firefighters had to go out and get second jobs to support their families,” he noted. By joining unions, firefighters improved their pay and their skills.
A union “puts our minds at ease,” Tjaden said. “We can concentrate on firefighting and protecting the public.”
Protecting patients – and jobs
Unions give health care workers a voice in their workplaces – and that means better care for patients, said Day, a registered nurse at Abbott Northwestern Hospital in Minneapolis.
The Minnesota Nurses Association has negotiated contract language that empowers nurses to speak up when areas are overloaded and understaffed. And the MNA has worked hard to raise standards for the nursing profession.
“Union shop hospitals have the best patient outcomes,” said Day. “When we have a union that can speak to these issues, we can advocate for the patients.”
Nelson, president of United Steelworkers Local 11-63 in Cloquet, said he and several hundred other workers would be out on the street if their union hadn’t taken action to stop unfair trade practices.
When China and Indonesia were dumping cheap, subsidized paper on the U.S. market, in violation of trade laws, the Steelworkers union pushed the government to act.
“It wasn’t a bunch of politicians, or even the companies, that fought these unfair imports,” Nelson said. “It was my international union that went to bat for me and my members.”
Strong union, strong skills
Other workers who journeyed to the Capitol Monday said unions are key to a skilled workforce.
Adam and Noah Hoen are brothers and pipefitters, both members of Local 455 in St. Paul. Another brother is a pipefitter, too, and their father recently retired after years in the trade.
“We went to school for six years so we are very skilled at our jobs,” noted Adam.
Todd Gray, a project manager and estimator, said contractors benefit from the training provided through union-employer apprenticeship programs. Gray said he is able to call the union hiring hall and get the workers with the specific skills and experience necessary for each project.
“It’s a very efficient model,” he said.
Right to Work laws undermine the ability of unions to provide this kind of education. “How does Right to Work benefit the community, the employer or the worker?” he asked.
What will happen to the middle class?
Mark Krey and Jodie Belknap, paraprofessionals in the West St. Paul school district and members of SEIU Local 284, worry that a Right to Work amendment to the Constitution is one more step toward the destruction of the middle class.
“Right now we have one of the best economies in the country because we are not a Right to Work state. Why would we want to change that?” asked Krey. “Unions are the voice of all workers. What they [Right to Work proponents] are trying to do is silence that voice, so they can do whatever they want.”
Added Belknap: “Why do we want to go back 100 years? We’re looking at losing the weekend, health care, all of our benefits. Will they go so far as to put children back to work in the factories?”
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| Liz Martin |
Noting she was on break from school, Sheprow said, “She’ll go back to school and tell everybody about it.”
What kind of future can Olivia expect if Right to Work opponents succeed in imposing their agenda? “Poverty,” Sheprow said simply.
Next generation steps up
For Liz Martin, her views about worker rights changed with her hair color – literally.
Martin was fired from a previous job because she dyed her hair.
“It was red, but not a real wild color. I was doing a good job and they just told me, ‘That’s it – you’re out.’ My grandma told me, ‘You need a union.’’’
Now a dietary aide at Mercy Hospital in Coon Rapids, she has become an activist in SEIU Healthcare Minnesota. She spreads the word about unions among her friends.
“My generation needs to get involved,” she said. “With strong unions, we can speak up for our patients.”
Related articles
On razor-thin vote, Senate committee passes Right to Work bill
Testimony challenges claims of Right to Work proponents
Union supporters rally to stop \'Right to Work\' (on the AFSCME Council 5 website)
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On Monday, a state Senate committee voted to put a constitutional amendment on the state ballot in November that would undercut the right of workers to strong unions. See related story. Going under the names “Right to Work” and “Freedom of Employment,” it would allow workers covered by union contracts to avoid paying their fair share of the costs of representation, yet still enjoy the benefits of the contract.
|
| Workers jammed the hallways at the Capitol. |
More than 1,600 people jammed the halls of the state Capitol, chanting, “Just vote no!” and “Kill the bill!” They said the legislation is unfair, unsafe and unnecessary.
Having a union contract “strengthens the fire department,” said Tjaden, a captain in the Minneapolis Fire Department.
“Back in the day before unions, a lot of firefighters had to go out and get second jobs to support their families,” he noted. By joining unions, firefighters improved their pay and their skills.
A union “puts our minds at ease,” Tjaden said. “We can concentrate on firefighting and protecting the public.”
Protecting patients – and jobs
Unions give health care workers a voice in their workplaces – and that means better care for patients, said Day, a registered nurse at Abbott Northwestern Hospital in Minneapolis.
The Minnesota Nurses Association has negotiated contract language that empowers nurses to speak up when areas are overloaded and understaffed. And the MNA has worked hard to raise standards for the nursing profession.
“Union shop hospitals have the best patient outcomes,” said Day. “When we have a union that can speak to these issues, we can advocate for the patients.”
Nelson, president of United Steelworkers Local 11-63 in Cloquet, said he and several hundred other workers would be out on the street if their union hadn’t taken action to stop unfair trade practices.
When China and Indonesia were dumping cheap, subsidized paper on the U.S. market, in violation of trade laws, the Steelworkers union pushed the government to act.
“It wasn’t a bunch of politicians, or even the companies, that fought these unfair imports,” Nelson said. “It was my international union that went to bat for me and my members.”
Strong union, strong skills
Other workers who journeyed to the Capitol Monday said unions are key to a skilled workforce.
Adam and Noah Hoen are brothers and pipefitters, both members of Local 455 in St. Paul. Another brother is a pipefitter, too, and their father recently retired after years in the trade.
“We went to school for six years so we are very skilled at our jobs,” noted Adam.
Todd Gray, a project manager and estimator, said contractors benefit from the training provided through union-employer apprenticeship programs. Gray said he is able to call the union hiring hall and get the workers with the specific skills and experience necessary for each project.
“It’s a very efficient model,” he said.
Right to Work laws undermine the ability of unions to provide this kind of education. “How does Right to Work benefit the community, the employer or the worker?” he asked.
What will happen to the middle class?
Mark Krey and Jodie Belknap, paraprofessionals in the West St. Paul school district and members of SEIU Local 284, worry that a Right to Work amendment to the Constitution is one more step toward the destruction of the middle class.
“Right now we have one of the best economies in the country because we are not a Right to Work state. Why would we want to change that?” asked Krey. “Unions are the voice of all workers. What they [Right to Work proponents] are trying to do is silence that voice, so they can do whatever they want.”
Added Belknap: “Why do we want to go back 100 years? We’re looking at losing the weekend, health care, all of our benefits. Will they go so far as to put children back to work in the factories?”
|
| Liz Martin |
Laborers Local 563 member Greg Sheprow has the same worries. He brought his 9-year-old granddaughter, Olivia, to witness Monday’s demonstration.
Noting she was on break from school, Sheprow said, “She’ll go back to school and tell everybody about it.”
What kind of future can Olivia expect if Right to Work opponents succeed in imposing their agenda? “Poverty,” Sheprow said simply.
Next generation steps up
For Liz Martin, her views about worker rights changed with her hair color – literally.
Martin was fired from a previous job because she dyed her hair.
“It was red, but not a real wild color. I was doing a good job and they just told me, ‘That’s it – you’re out.’ My grandma told me, ‘You need a union.’’’
Now a dietary aide at Mercy Hospital in Coon Rapids, she has become an activist in SEIU Healthcare Minnesota. She spreads the word about unions among her friends.
“My generation needs to get involved,” she said. “With strong unions, we can speak up for our patients.”
Related articles
On razor-thin vote, Senate committee passes Right to Work bill
Testimony challenges claims of Right to Work proponents
Union supporters rally to stop \’Right to Work\’ (on the AFSCME Council 5 website)