Workers’ stories show need for labor law reform

The event, sponsored by the Workers Interfaith Network, a coalition of religious and labor organizations, filled the basement at Christ Lutheran Church across the street from the state Capitol.

WIN held the forum to dramatize the need for reform of the nation\’s labor laws, particularly passage of the Employee Free Choice Act, which is scheduled for a vote next week in the U.S. Senate.

"Most nurses I know would suffer rather than have their patients suffer," said Michel Taylor, who\’s worked for 20 years as an orthopedic nurse at Regions. "But finally we couldn\’t endure any more."

So registered nurses turned to the Minnesota Nurses Association. Their efforts to organize, however, have been met with intimidation, emotional abuse and threats of firing, Taylor said.

Registered nurse Gayle Wilson says the system doesn\’t work for nurses who want ot organize to improve their workplaces. Looking on are St. Paul Trades & Labor Assembly President Shar Knutson and Marcy Shapiro of Jewish Community Action.

Registered nurse Gayle Wilson said she faced similar obstacles in her first effort to form a union at Unity Hospital. "The process was not fair," she declared.

The Employee Free Choice Act would give employees the choice of using the existing National Labor Relations Board election process or opting for a majority signup. Advocates say the reform would reduce the opportunities for employer intimidation.

In addition, the legislation, which passed the U.S. House of Representatives in March, would increase penalties on employers who violate worker rights and institute mandatory arbitration of first contracts in cases where companies are dragging their feet.

"The Workers Interfaith Network has seen too many instances where employers use tactics that violate human dignity," said Marcy Shapiro of Jewish Community Action.

Sarah Fox, a former National Labor Relations Board commissioner who supports the Employee Free Choice Act, and three members from different faith communities listened to the worker testimony.

"What we have now is a very exciting moment" for "significant reform of the National Labor Relations Act," Fox said.

The religious leaders said their faith compels them to support workers who are organizing.

"I believe that the right to meaningful work at meaningful wages in good and safe conditions is part of our human dignity," said the Rev. John Estrem, CEO of Catholic Charities.

"Justice is encompassing everyone," said Imam Hesham Hussein of the Muslim American Society. "It does not stop at anyone."

Rabbi Morris Allen of Congregation Beth Jacob urged those attending to pray for a miracle – and work hard for passage of the legislation.

Other workers who spoke at the forum included truck driver Mark Gustafson (above), now a member of the Teamsters, and Abdi Omar of United Food & Commercial Workers Local 789.