SUPPORT THE EMPLOYEE FREE CHOICE ACT: RESTORE WORKERS’ RIGHTS

WHEREAS, nearly 60 million Americans have indicated they would like the chance to form a union in their workplaces; and

WHEREAS, the process by which American workers choose to form a union has become so difficult that workers today must be willing to risk losing their jobs and livelihoods in order to exercise their legal rights; and

WHEREAS, research has shown that employers routinely ignore the law with no serious consequences:

In one out of every four union organizing campaigns, employers illegally fire workers.

Half of employers threaten to shut down partially or totally if employees join together in a union.

Employers refuse to bargain first contracts in one-third of cases; and

WHEREAS, more than three-quarters of Americans in a recent survey support strong laws that give employees freedom to choose whether to form a union without interference from management; and

WHEREAS, the Employee Free Choice Act would restore fairness and balance by establishing stronger penalties for violation of the law when workers seek to form a union and during first-contract negotiations, by providing mediation and arbitration for first-contract disputes, and by allowing employees to form unions by signing cards authorizing union representation:

RESOLVED, that the American Federation of Teachers call on its affiliates to work with the AFL-CIO in lobbying and grassroots activity to support passage of the Employee Free Choice Act; and

RESOLVED, that the American Federation of Teachers educate AFT members about the economic impact on all Americans of undermining the labor movement and denying workers their right to form a union; and

RESOLVED, that the American Federation of Teachers join with our brothers and sisters in the labor movement in strongly supporting the AFL-CIO’s campaign  on behalf of the Employee Free Choice Act and encourage all AFT members to sign up for the AFL-CIO’s Million-Member mobilization for the Employee Free Choice Act.