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you are here: Home » Issues » Employee Free Choice

Restore the American Dream with Employee Free Choice

Giving workers a free choice to join a union and
a fair chance to live the American Dream

SIGN UP NOW! 

You can now show your support online.

Our goal is to gather signatures in support of this bill--one million voices calling for passage of the Employee Free Choice Act.

Can't sign up online? Download to print the PLEDGE CARD. Sign it and return to your union rep or steward.  

Employee Free Choice Card

"We will pass the Employee Free Choice Act. It's not a matter of if, it's a matter of when. We may have to wait for the next president to sign it, but we will get this thing done." -Sen. Barack Obama 

Sixty million American workers say they would join a union if they could.

They know that union workers earn 30 percent more than non-union workers and are 62 percent more likely to have employer health coverage.

CEOs negotiate their contracts—Employee Free Choice would ensure workers have the same right.

Employee Free Choice signup
Workers speak out on Employee Free Choice and what it means to them.[VIDEO] 

What is the Employee Free Choice Act?

Trinidad LopezThe Employee Free Choice Act is legislation that would protect the middle class by giving workers a free choice and fair chance to join a union. Employee Free Choice would ultimately raise wages, benefits, and working conditions for workers.

 “The union not only protects me on the job, but works to keep the middle class going by fighting for better wages and other benefits. It’s only fair that everyone should have the same opportunity to join a union to live a better life.”
-- Trinidad Lopez, UFCW Local 700, Logansport, Ind.

How would the Employee Free Choice Act work?

Kay HallBy empowering workers with the chance to join a union in a simple one-step process: if a majority of workers choose union representation, their company must honor that choice and negotiate a union contract. It also holds companies accountable for trying to suppress workers’ freedom to join a union.

“The good jobs that are left in my city are the union jobs that bargain for good wages and health care benefits. These are the jobs where you can provide for your family and enjoy your life. Employee Free Choice gives all workers that opportunity.”
– Kay Hall, UFCW Local 655, St. Louis, Mo.
 

I’m already a union member. Why should I care about the right to organize?

Curtis MartinThe best chance for workers in a union to secure strong contracts is to have more union members in their industry. With more members uniting for a voice on the job, we can build more power at the bargaining table to negotiate better contracts.

“I know if more workers are union members, that will help me bargain for a better contract because there is strength in numbers. All workers deserve the chance to have better pay, good health care and other benefits.”
– Curtis Martin, UFCW Local 455, Houston, Texas

 Do we really need this?

Doug PaytonAbsolutely. This is one of the most promising pieces of legislation aimed at improving the lives of working Americans that we have seen in recent years. As middle-class jobs dwindle and the American Dream slips out of reach for many workers, this legislation could not come at a more crucial time.

“My grandfather used to talk to me about why unions are important.  I could see what kind of difference it makes in life.  Now the middle class is dwindling away.  It shouldn’t be that way.  We need unions more than ever.”
--Doug Payton, UFCW Local 276, Josslyn, Illinois


With your support, we can see to it that this legislation passes.

Sign the pledge now! 

Help us reach our goal. One million people is a lot of people. We can't do it without your help and the help of your friends and family.


"I support this bill because in order to restore a sense of shared prosperity and security, we need to help working Americans exercise their right to organize under a fair and free process and bargain for their fair share of the wealth our country creates.
The current process for organizing a workplace denies too many workers the ability to do so. The Employee Free Choice Act offers to make binding an alternative process under which a majority of employees can sign up to join a union. Currently, employers can choose to accept--but are not bound by law to accept--the signed decision of a majority of workers. That choice should be left up to workers and workers alone."

-Sen. Barack Obama


  

  

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