Introduction of a Reolution Supporting the Rights al All Workers and Calling for an End to the Recent Attacks on Workers

Floor Speech

Ms. NORTON. Mr. Speaker, today I rise, in advance of leading a special order this evening, to offer a resolution supporting the rights of all workers, including federal employees and other public employees, and calling for the end to attacks on their ability to organize and to collectively bargain. There are only a few salient rights recognized by every democracy, such as freedom of religion and freedom of speech, and on that list always appears the right for workers to organize in order to bargain collectively with an employer. It has long been recognized that individual workers have little, if any, bargaining power sitting alone with an employer who has hired or could hire her. When unions organize workers, the ground becomes more level and economic conditions decide the outcome.

Mr. Speaker, the American labor movement has been a major catalyst for the formation of a majority middle class in the United States by leading the way for improvements for all workers, which unions have gained through collective bargaining. I ask the House to join me in recognizing the American union movement and those who work in the public and private sectors.

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