Senator Kennedy's Quotes on Labor

"The Employee Free Choice Act is about more than changing our labor laws - it's about giving workers basic dignity and respect in the workplace. It's the first of many steps we need to take to restore the voice of the American worker, which has been silenced far too long."

"It is not protectionist to refuse to compete on the basis of who can exploit their workers the most."

"We can no longer stand by while these problems grow. At this unique time in history
we must seize the moment and move forward with genuine and comprehensive health reform for all Americans. To his great credit, President Obama has made such reform an early and high priority of his Administration, and the momentum is clearly with us for the first time in many years."

"...Quality [health] care shouldn't depend on your financial resources or the type of job you have, or the medical condition you face. Every American should be able to get the same treatment that U.S. senators are entitled to."

"Make no mistake about it! There is an organized movement against organized labor and it's called the Bush Administration."

"The American people spoke up-loudly and clearly-in the last election, saying they want a Congress that stands up for working families. The Employee Free Choice Act is exactly the kind of bold action they were calling for. It is a key part of the Democratic plan to help the struggling middle class and restore the economic security that has been lost during the Bush years. Today, I am proud that a majority of my colleagues stood up for working families. I regret that more of my Republicans colleagues do not share this vision for a better America. Their obstructionism has stopped us from moving to debate on this important bill.

Today's vote sends a clear signal to the American public about which party stands with working people -- and although we were blocked today we will not give up and we will not give in. I can promise that we will be back. There may be obstacles along the way, but we'll keep up the fight until we get a victory for working families."

"Unfortunately, the current union election system is broken. The nation's labor laws are too weak and too weakly enforced, and union elections are often neither free nor fair. Everyday, employers violate workers' right to organize and write off the minor penalties as the cost of doing business. It's time to fix this broken system. That's why I'll be introducing the Employee Free Choice Act in the Senate."

"The way you spell Kennedy is L-A-B-O-R and don't you ever forget it."
- Senator Edward M. Kennedy at the Mass. AFL-CIO Tribute to Sen. Kennedy on June 9, 2006

"For all those whose cares have been our concern, the work goes on, the cause endures, the hope still lives, and the dream shall never die."