June 26, 2007

CWA: Majority of U.S. Senate Backs Workers' Rights
Next steps include education, political action on need to restore bargaining rights

Following is a statement by President Larry Cohen, Communications Workers of America, on today's vote in the U.S. Senate on whether to end debate and move to a full vote on the Employee Free Choice Act: 

Today's vote by the United States Senate on the Employee Free Choice Act clearly demonstrates that a majority of Senators supports workers' rights and the ability of working people to have a voice on the job by freely choosing union representation. 
 
Today, 51 senators showed their support for workers rights by voting to move the legislation forward. Working people now have the House of Representatives and a majority of the United States Senate on their side and on the record in support of real collective bargaining rights for workers. 
 
Although we didn't reach the 60 votes necessary to end debate and allow a democratic majority vote on this bill, this vote sends a clear message that a majority of the Senate believes that our current system of labor law is broken and that workers deserve respect and the right to make their own free and fair decisions about union representation.  
 
This vote -- along with the March vote by the House of Representatives -- is a huge accomplishment for union activists and members of the Stewards Army who have invested their time and effort to make a real difference. 
 
Our steps ahead are to:
 
1.     Continue to educate union households and the public about the decline of collective bargaining and the need to restore bargaining and organizing rights.
 
2.     Elect a president in 2008 who will lead the effort to enact this legislation.  
 
3.     Develop strategies in the Senate that allow for passage of EFCA with majority support instead of the 60 votes needed to cut off debate. This is the strategy that was used to enact the first increase in the minimum wage in 10 years by including the measure in an appropriations bill.