Massachusetts AFL-CIO Resolution In Support of the Employee Free Choice Act

 

Massachusetts AFL-CIO Resolution In Support of the Employee Free Choice Act

 

WHEREAS, the current economic crisis in the United States highlights the need for the creation of jobs with quality wages, good benefits and a secure retirement; and

 

WHEREAS, union membership remains, and will remain, the surest way to achieve economic security for American workers; and

 

WHEREAS, research has shown that over sixty million workers would join a union immediately if given a free and fair opportunity to do so; and

 

WHEREAS, employers frequently violate labor laws in order to deny their employees the right to organize or the ability to fairly negotiate a contract; and

 

WHEREAS, written majority authorization is the fairest and most democratic way to join a union; and

 

WHEREAS, this legislation will take the choice of how to form unions away from employers and return that choice to its rightful place in the hands of workers; and

WHEREAS, current penalties for employer abuses are far too weak to urge appropriate employer behavior; and

WHEREAS, the legislation recognizes the right of an employee to express him or herself in the workplace and be free from fear of intimidation, coercion, or unlawful termination for engaging in pro-union activity; therefore be it

 

RESOLVED that the Massachusetts AFL-CIO strongly supports the Employee Free Choice Act and thanks its co-sponsors in the 111th Congress, including one hundred percent of the Massachusetts delegation, and all advocates who have fought for the passage of the legislation; and be it further

 

RESOLVED that the Massachusetts AFL-CIO extends special recognition to labor’s champion in the Senate, the late Senator Edward M. Kennedy, who introduced the Employee Free Choice Act in the 111th session of Congress; and be it further

 

RESOLVED that Massachusetts AFL-CIO strongly opposes any modification of the bill’s language that would weaken its effect or otherwise compromise the intent of the legislation, which is to support a worker’s right to organize and ensure a free and fair process to form a union; and be it finally

 

RESOLVED that the President of the Massachusetts AFL-CIO will transmit a copy of this resolution and other information to all relevant parties to demonstrate its ardent support for the passage of the Employee Free Choice Act.

 

Respectfully Submitted,

 

Robert J. Haynes, President

Louis A. Mandarini, Jr., Secretary-Treasurer