Kennedy Holds First Senate Hearing On EMployee Free Choice Act

Press Release

KENNEDY HOLDS FIRST SENATE HEARING ON EMPLOYEE FREE CHOICE ACT

Today, Senator Edward M. Kennedy, Chairman of the Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee holds the first Senate hearing on the Employee Free Choice Act. The Employee Free Choice Act will protect the democratic right of workers to choose to join a union, strengthening the middle class by giving workers the ability - when they choose it - to bargain for better terms. In today's economy, productivity is rising and corporate profits are soaring but wages have been stagnant and workers are losing essential benefits like health care and pensions.

"It's time to return to a world where workers obtain their fair share of the nation's economic growth. The bets way to do so is to give them a stronger voice in the workplace," Senator Kennedy said. "Unions mean the difference between an economy that is fair and an economy where working people are left behind. The fundamental promise of the American dream is that hard work leads to success and a better life for families."

The Senators will hear from workers, economists, and labor law experts on the urgent need for this legislation, including Mr. Errol Hohrein; Prof. Cynthia Estlund, Catherine A. Rein Professor of Law, New York University Law School; Dr. Laurence Mishel, President, Economic Policy Institute; Mr. Peter Hurtgen, Former Chairman and Member, National Labor Relations Board.

Below is a summary of the Employee Free Choice Act and Senator Kennedy's full remarks, as prepared for delivery.

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