As Labor Day approaches, I must reflect on the current state of affairs in our country. While millions of working men and women have said they would like to form a union to improve their lives, their efforts are met with brutal resistance from many companies and a deaf ear from our government officials. Workers are illegally fired. Captive meetings are held. They are threatened with reduced pay and benefits and possible closing of the business. This is simply wrong!American workers wish to form unions to give them a voice at work to improve conditions such as job safety, wages, benefits and job security. This very important act of collective bargaining is beneficial to the employees, employers and to the community. Union contracts remedy discrimination in the workplace and raise the earnings of working women and minorities. More families can make it on their own in the community with better wages and benefits. Union members are your neighbors. They contribute to the economy as taxpayers and customers to local businesses. They serve as volunteers at churches, schools, and other community organizationsThis Labor Day, the Southwest Central Labor Council, an umbrella organization of affiliated unions representing some 4000 plus members, recognizes those union members and the employers where they work. They are meatpackers, teachers, paraprofessionals, plumbers, pipefitters, construction workers, nursing home and hospital workers, janitors and city, county and state employees. They have a voice at work!Now we must insure that other workers will have the ability to have a voice at work. If they choose to exercise their democratic right to choose a union it should be without interference from management, and our government should not turn its back on them. Let your elected leaders know that the right to organize and bargain is a fundamental human right and should be respected.Dale E. Moerke LuvernePresident of Southwest Central Labor Council/AFL-CIO
