Tuesday, May 19, 2009
Harkin Rally’s with Faith Leaders in Support of EFCA
Remarks by Senator Tom Harkin
I want to thank Rev. Steve Copley, Rev. Sue Gaeta, and all the other faith leaders who have joined us, this morning, in support of the Employee Free Choice Act.
For many months, now, I have been making the economic case for passing this bill. Restoring the right to organize unions is one big key to rebuilding the middle class in this country.
But, as these leaders will testify, there is also another dimension to passing the Employee Free Choice Act. There is a moral dimension, deeply grounded in all of our major faith traditions. This bill is about social justice. And – as Jewish friends put it – it is about “healing the world.”
When nearly 60 percent of workers want to join a union, but only 7 percent are in one, something is broken!
When the average CEO makes more than 400 times what an average worker makes, something is broken!
When ordinary workers have their retirement plans cut back, but executives get gold-plated pensions, something is broken!
How did we get in this fix? We got here because, for too long, our constitutional right to organize a union has been systematically undermined.
The most brazen union-busting tactics are tolerated or punished with only the mildest of penalties.
And even when employees succeed in forming a union, nearly half of employers simply refuse to negotiate a first contract in good faith.
Our aim, with this legislation, is to restore some measure of balance and fairness to the organizing process.
Right now, the employer makes the choice as to whether workers can use an election or majority sign-up to try to form a union? As a matter of basic fairness, shouldn’t the employees be given the right to make that choice? Of course, they should.
Likewise, if a majority of employees sign a card to join a union, it is only fair that management bargain in good faith with those people. That’s the American way.
Now, some folks have been crowing that they have killed EFCA. Well, to paraphrase Mark Twain, the reports of EFCA’s demise are greatly exaggerated!
I am actively talking to Senators who have expressed reservations about the bill. We always expected to make changes and tweaks to the bill.
I am seeking to craft a compromise that will maintain three core principles:
- Giving workers real freedom to choose a union
- Ensuring that workers who organize will get a first contract
- And providing meaningful penalties for repeated violations of workers’ rights.
I am optimistic that we can find a reasonable compromise, and that we can pass a good bill this year.
And, to that end, I welcome and deeply appreciate the support of so many respected faith leaders from all across America.
At this point, I’d like to invite Rev. Steve Copley to share his perspective . . .
