Recognizing the Importance of an Organized Workforce and Labor Unions

Floor Speech

Ms. EDDIE BERNICE JOHNSON of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the importance of an organized workforce, and the critical role that labor unions play in the building of a robust and diverse economy. The United States has benefitted greatly from the labor movement, and protecting workers' rights is more important now than ever before, particularly for African Americans.

Labor unions have provided a range of benefits for working men and women throughout our history, many of which we take for granted as being a normal part of life in the workplace. Simple concepts such as weekends and paid vacation time are thanks to the efforts of labor unions. More complex protections such as workplace safety standards and anti-discrimination laws also are the result of an organized and informed workforce coming together to resist unfair demands by employers.

Within the African American community, labor unions have provided a pathway to greater income equality and fairness in the workplace. While African American union workers can earn up to $10,000 or 31 percent more than non-union members, workers across all races enjoy better wages when they are a member of a union. More simply, organized labor enables fair wages, safe working conditions, and equality in the workplace.

Mr. Speaker, as our economy continues its recovery, it is important that we preserve a sense of decency and respect among our workers. Fifty years ago, the March on Washington was as much a civil rights movement as it was a labor movement. Labor unions have fought to protect working men and women across all races, and I encourage my colleagues to continue this legacy by standing up for the rights of all working men and women across our great nation.

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