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August Kenosha News Column
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Aug 31, 2007 Posted by Bryan Miller
A message to those represented by and in leadership of Labor:
Soon it will be Labor Day, and we'll be celebrating a holiday that came about thanks to the labor movement in the late 1800's. It was first started in 1882 in New York by the Central Labor Union, and by 1885 was celebrated in most industrial centers of the country. By 1894, 31 states and the United States Congress, acting on behalf of the District of Columbia and the territories, established Labor Day the first Monday in September as a legal holiday via legislation.
Unfortunately, we see fewer workers being represented by a union, and at the same time, it's getting harder to form a union. There is a piece of legislation working its way through Congress called the "Employee Free Choice Act" (EFCA).
This bill would:
- Certify a union on the basis of majority sign-up
- Facilitate first-contract mediation and arbitration
- Enforce stronger penalties for employers who block attempts to form a union, or negotiate a first contract
Paul Ryan (R-Wis) is opposing the bill, along with over 96% of the Republicans in the House. Over 97% of Democrats in the House are signed onto the bill. In the Senate, both Feingold and Kohl support the measure, yet not one single Republican in the Senate has signed onto this bill.
At the same time Democrats are working to make it easier for workers to organize and collectively bargain, there are people working on a "NAFTA Superhighway". We all know what good NAFTA has done for America's workers. Fascinatingly enough, however, they are trying to create a single road through America that will connect Mexican-based ports with overseas manufacturing.
Although Republicans are "technically" correct in denying that this plan exists, the foundation for this plan, the Trans-Texas Corridor (TTA) is very real: "up to four football fields wide at points, paving over as much as half a million acres of Texas countryside. The first section will be built and operated by a foreign enterprise, and when completed it would likely be the largest privatized toll road in the country" (The Nation, August 9, 2007).
Texas found out very quickly that public opposition to this plan was the fact that the road would be tolled and privately controlled, a new concept to Texans. Until the builders of this concept in Texas can convince Texans that it's okay to invite the private sector in to control the road, this project is on hold. Eventually, however, it will only be a matter of time before Texans have no choice.
Stop the insanity! The assault on Labor, from Teamsters being banned from trucking through our country, to privatizing those in the services workforce, is far from over. During this Labor Day, look around you. Where are the Republicans? I'll tell you where the Democrats are and have been, right beside you every step of the way. Visit our website: http://www.kenoshacountydems.com/ and join us today!
Happy Labor Day! You deserve the celebration and support of America!