Majority of Congress Stands with Workers on the Employee Free Choice Act

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Tuesday, June 26, 2007

CONTACT: Chris Ortman
(202) 721-0660
chris.ortman@changetowin.org

WASHINGTON, DC -- Following is a statement from Greg Tarpinian, Executive Director, on behalf of the Leadership Council of Change to Win, on today's vote for the Employee Free Choice Act in the U.S. Senate:

"Today, a majority of the U.S. Senate joined a large, bipartisan majority of the House of Representatives in standing with American workers and their families by voting for the Employee Free Choice Act, legislation that would enable workers to freely choose whether or not to join a union without being subjected to strong-arm tactics used by their employers.

"Today's vote was an important achievement on behalf of all working people to level the playing field, and now we know where everyone stands on a worker's right to freely choose a union. In 2008, we need to elect a bigger majority in the Senate and a new President who will champion the interests of working families."

Senate rules require 60 votes to stop debate and allow a vote on the bill itself.

"Senate procedural rules and the ways of politics blocked this majority of Senators from expressing its will in an up-or-down vote on the Employee Free Choice Act. But every day in this country, American companies illegally block the will of the majority by intimidating, harassing or even firing workers who choose a union. And they do this without penalty.

"The freedom to form a union and gain a voice at work is a centerpiece of the American Dream, because a voice on the job helps workers win a paycheck that supports a family, affordable health care, and a secure retirement.

"On behalf of the six million workers represented by our seven partner unions and the tens of millions of workers now being denied a meaningful right to organize, Change to Win thanks the majority in both houses of Congress for their leadership and support to ensure that American workers and their children will have a shot at the American Dream."