Employee Free Choice Act

EMPLOYEE FREE CHOICE ACT

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Mr. LYNCH. Madam Chairman, I rise today in proud support of H.R. 800, the Employee Free Choice Act.

There has been much said during this debate about what effect this bill will have for American workers and for our business community.

In the simplest terms, the operative language of this bill allows American workers to have a voice in the workplace. It allows individual workers greater ability to come together and bargain collectively with their employer.

In some cases it would mean that workers would have the opportunity to have a say when the company closes its pension fund or moves jobs overseas and lays off its workers.

In some cases these hard-working Americans would have a chance to question exorbitant salaries paid to company CEOs. These workers may actually have a chance to bargain with their employer over health benefits.

Now, it may seem threatening to some folks, that these workers will have a better chance to have a voice in the workplace. But that's basically it, that's what this bill is all about.

Giving a little bit of power to workers who may have had their pensions eliminated and their jobs eliminated.

These workers who would be powerless to have any effect individually will be able to get together, to associate, and bargain as one.

For twenty years I worked as a union ironworker, one of the most dangerous occupations in our society.

The safety standards that were maintained and enforced to make the job as safe as possible were made possible by the Ironworkers International Union and my brothers and sisters of the American Labor Movement.

I can honestly say that I often find it strange that in a country as great as the United States, founded on individual freedom, freedom of expression and freedom of association, that it is necessary to actually have a Federal statute passed so you can join with your fellow workers in order to have a voice in the workplace.

This bill actually allows human beings to exercise a moral right, a God-given right. The time is now, our cause is just, Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support H.R. 800, The Employee Free Choice Act and I yield back the remainder of my time.

Mrs. CAPPS. Madam Chairman, an original cosponsor of the Employee Free Choice Act, I rise in strong support of the bill.

Last November, Americans responded to our commitment to change, and voted in the new Democratic majority. Last month we affirmed that commitment by voting to increase the minimum wage--the first increase in over a decade. Today, we further that commitment by helping to increase access to health care, better pay, and better retirement benefits for millions of American workers by passing the Employee Free Choice Act.

America's workforce desperately needs our help. During this period of so-called economic growth, American workers have seen their incomes flat-line while the salaries of the wealthiest one percent have skyrocketed. They have seen the costs of basic necessities such as health care, education, transportation, food and housing rise while the number of quality jobs falls.

The Employee Free Choice Act will help narrow this growing income disparity by making it easier for American workers to unionize if they so choose. Statistics show that unionized workers earn higher wages, have greater access to health care, and receive better retirement benefits. This bill will level the playing field and help narrow the growing income gap that is plaguing our Nation.

The ability of workers to unionize is a fundamental right that must be protected. While many employers treat their workers fairly, and respect their right to unionize, many more do not. For far too long, some employers have routinely restricted the rights of workers by threatening, coercing and even firing employees who attempt to form a union.

Opponents of the bill claim that current law adequately protects the rights of workers who want to form a union. However, any American worker will tell you that it does no such thing.

Under current law, employers can force employees to attend mandatory, closed-door meetings to listen to anti-union propaganda, while employees I are denied the right to rebut.

Under current law, employers can block the formation of a union by dragging out negotiations indefinitely, while employees are denied the collective representation they voted for.

And, under current law, employers routinely fire workers for merely discussing union activities, and employees are denied their pay while the NLRB takes months to take action.

The truth is that the system is badly broken, and must be repaired. This bill would begin to fix the system by making it easier for employees to form unions and giving workers a fair seat at the bargaining table by establishing a system of mediation and arbitration.

Too many employees have been denied their rights for far too long. It is time that we stand up and protect America's workers from the abuse, coercion, and intimidation they have endured for generations. While much work still must be done to protect these workers, the Employee Free Choice Act is a strong step in the right direction.

I urge my colleagues to help America's workers, and vote ``yes' on H.R. 800.

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