The legislation would make it easier for workers for workers to get a voice on the job and improve their standard of living, advocates say. The Senate is gearing up for floor debate on the bill, which passed the U.S. House of Representatives in March.
Bernard Pollock, national AFL-CIO field coordinator, said he expects thousands of calls to flood Senate offices this week in advance of the debate.
"The anti-worker rights campaign against this legislation is fierce," Pollock said. "These big-pocket organizations know that by giving people a say in their working conditions, they will have a unified voice to advocate for affordable health care, job safety standards and the right to a secure retirement. That\'s why these anti-Employee Free Choice Act groups are pouring millions of dollars into a campaign to stop us in our tracks."
In recent years, it has become more and more difficult for workers to exercise their right to join a union. In 2005, more than 30,000 workers were fired or illegally penalized for attempting to organize.
The Employee Free Choice Act would give workers a fair chance to form unions to improve their lives by:
- Allowing them to form unions by signing cards authorizing union representation.
- Providing mediation and arbitration for first-contract disputes.
- Establishing stronger penalties for violation of employee rights when workers seek to form a union and during first-contract negotiations.
"The Employee Free Choice Act is something that cuts across all unions and even into the general public," said United Steelworkers Political Director Chuck Rocha. "The general public really wants unions, they want representation at work."
So far, Coleman has said he opposes the legislation because it allows workers to organize a union through majority signup. Currently, workers have that option only if employers allow it, which they seldom do. The Employee Free Choice Act would enable workers to make the choice of a majority signup or an election.
Minnesota supporters of the Employee Free Choice Act may call 1-800-774-8941 to contact Coleman.
Unions also are urging people to call 1-800-718-1008 to thank supporters of the legislation, such as Senator Amy Klobuchar, who is a co-sponsor.
This article is adapted from information on the AFL-CIO news blog, http://blog.aflcio.org
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The legislation would make it easier for workers for workers to get a voice on the job and improve their standard of living, advocates say. The Senate is gearing up for floor debate on the bill, which passed the U.S. House of Representatives in March.
Bernard Pollock, national AFL-CIO field coordinator, said he expects thousands of calls to flood Senate offices this week in advance of the debate.
"The anti-worker rights campaign against this legislation is fierce," Pollock said. "These big-pocket organizations know that by giving people a say in their working conditions, they will have a unified voice to advocate for affordable health care, job safety standards and the right to a secure retirement. That\’s why these anti-Employee Free Choice Act groups are pouring millions of dollars into a campaign to stop us in our tracks."
In recent years, it has become more and more difficult for workers to exercise their right to join a union. In 2005, more than 30,000 workers were fired or illegally penalized for attempting to organize.
The Employee Free Choice Act would give workers a fair chance to form unions to improve their lives by:
– Allowing them to form unions by signing cards authorizing union representation.
– Providing mediation and arbitration for first-contract disputes.
– Establishing stronger penalties for violation of employee rights when workers seek to form a union and during first-contract negotiations.
"The Employee Free Choice Act is something that cuts across all unions and even into the general public," said United Steelworkers Political Director Chuck Rocha. "The general public really wants unions, they want representation at work."
So far, Coleman has said he opposes the legislation because it allows workers to organize a union through majority signup. Currently, workers have that option only if employers allow it, which they seldom do. The Employee Free Choice Act would enable workers to make the choice of a majority signup or an election.
Minnesota supporters of the Employee Free Choice Act may call 1-800-774-8941 to contact Coleman.
Unions also are urging people to call 1-800-718-1008 to thank supporters of the legislation, such as Senator Amy Klobuchar, who is a co-sponsor.
This article is adapted from information on the AFL-CIO news blog, http://blog.aflcio.org