Labor & Employment Law

Executive Council Focuses on Jobs, Election, Workers? Rights

By James Parks

During the AFL-CIO Executive Council meeting, President Richard Trumka presented Labor Secretary Hilda Solis with a copy of the Labor Department’s employee rights poster signed by every EC member.

In the midst of the worst jobs crisis since the Depression, the AFL-CIO Executive Council laid out a road map for how the Obama administration and Congress can fundamentally revamp the nation’s economy so that it puts workers first. President Barack Obama, who addressed the Council on Aug. 4, seemed to get it when he said that making things in America is at the heart of the economic recovery. The Council also laid out plans for the critical fall elections.

In a series of statements, Council members reaffirmed the need for immediate adoption of the AFL-CIO?s five point plan to create new jobs and warned that reducing the deficit must come after we create more revenue-producing jobs. You can check out all the new Executive Council statements here.

The leaders emphasized that we need to create more good jobs, in part by:

•  Expanding the Buy American program,
• Establishing a national manufacturing strategy,
• Taking tough actions to enforce rules to stop currency manipulation and level the global trading field,
• Adopting new tax policies to support companies that keep jobs in America and passing legislation that encourage a new commitment to rebuild the infrastructure, support renewable energy sources and promote innovation.

We cannot have a strong economy without a strong public education system that can train workers for the global economy. Council members stressed that teachers and other education professionals on the ground must be involved in reforming our schools. We cannot solve state and local budget woes by cutting funds for education and making teachers the scapegoats for poor policies, they said.

Other vital public services, such as mail delivery, should not be cut either, the Council said. It warned the U.S. Postal Service that dropping mail delivery to five days a week would decrease the public?s confidence in such a critical agency.

There was much to celebrate as the EC members praised the pro-worker policies of the Obama administration, which are in stark contrast to the virulent anti-worker policies of the Bush administration. During Labor Secretary Hilda Solis? visit to the Council meeting, AFL-CIO President Richard Trumka and the other leaders presented her with a  poster prepared by the Labor Department outlining employees? rights on the job for posting in the workplace. The poster was signed by all the Executive Council members. The Bush administration?s corresponding poster told employees only some of their rights on the job, including the not to join a union or pay dues.

But the Council reminded the administration and Congress that there is still much to do to ensure that workers? rights and their health and safety are protected. They approved a statement pushing for quick action on the Employee Free Choice Act and changes to federal labor laws that would help the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) fulfill its mission to promote collective bargaining. The Council also asked all unions to continue their support of UNITE HERE! and hotel workers fighting to gain a solid contract with Hyatt hotels and a fair process to exercise their freedom to form a union.

Workers must have safe jobs and the Council singled out two groups whose safety and health has been especially endangered recently?first responders and energy workers. The recent rash of deaths in mines and oil rigs clearly shows the need to tighten safety rules and the Council urged Congress to quickly pass mine safety legislation. It also condemned congressional Republicans? cynical refusal to extend health care benefits for America?s heroes?the first responders after the 911 terrorists attack.

The Council spotlighted the plight of workers around the world in a resolution of solidarity with Bangladeshi garment workers seeking a modest minimum wage increase of 35 cents. The Trade Statement also called for strong action to include enforceable workers? rights in trade agreements

In other business, the Council called for changes in the Senate?s antiquated rules to help break the seemingly-permanent gridlock in that chamber, elected five new members and honored retiring members Ron Gettelfinger and Ann Converso. It also announced support for One Nation and its Oct. 2 national march and urged Congress to pass the DREAM Act to provide a path to citizenship for undocumented students.

Full post as published by AFL-CIO NOW BLOG on August 06, 2010 (boomark / email).