A Young Worker's Perspective

On March 10th the Employee Free Choice Act was introduced in the 111th Congress. This new law would guarantee employees the choice of whether they want to become Union workers. This is an important opportunity for many hardworking Americans who, without the Employee Free Choice Act, could be illegally denied their right to form and join a union and secure the benefits a union job brings.

As a 19 year old Union Laborer, I understand the differences between union employment versus non-union employment. It's a difference in access to living wages, essential benefits, and safe working conditions. Access to these is not simply an issue of workers' rights, but this is an issue of human rights! Living wages, benefits, and safe working conditions are earned by America's workers and the hard working men and women deserve fair representation rightfully so.

The Employee Free Choice Act maintains that when a majority of employees have signed authorizations for a union to represent them, the union will then be certified by the National Labor Relations Board as the employees' representative body. This means that employees will no longer have to face corporate pressures, coercion, or even expulsion when seeking a union contract. EFCA will also provide protection to employees seeking to unionize by imposing stricter penalties on companies who do make attempts to coerce or bully employees seeking union representation.

The Employee Free Choice Act is the best way to help revitalize the American middle class. While the economy is facing tough times, it is important that the American people are employed and making decent wages which can be reinvested into the economy. EFCA will help change a corrupt system in which corporate CEOs and big business executives receive more than their fair share. If CEOs are able to negotiate their own contracts then that same negotiating freedom should be provided to the employee and whomever they choose to represent them.

Not only is it in the employees best interest to be unionized, but it is also in the best interest of companies to use union employment. Union employees create better working conditions for other employees, and offer a better product or service. Union employees are found to provide higher productivity, improved work-place communication, and are often better-trained than non-union employees of the same trade.

Non-union workers will also benefit from the Employee Free Choice Act because it will allow for union organizers to negotiate more effectively for project labor agreements or PLAs. Project Labor Agreements provide the same union wages, benefits, and working conditions to non-union employees working on federally funded projects. Thus, even non-union employees will be able to enjoy higher wages, benefits, and a safer working environment. One of the first actions President Obama took upon entering office was the reversal of a ban on PLAs, which President Bush ordered early in his first term.

In my work as a Union Laborer, I am faced daily with demanding tasks in difficult conditions. When my Union representative comes to a job site to make sure the job I'm performing is being done well and I'm being safe while doing it, I feel assured that the Union is invested in my interests and health. I think it's important to feel that reassurance when you're spending your days five stories up on scaffolding and lifting 12 inch block to bricklayers, who let's say, aren't always in the best mood.

I enjoy belonging to a union and take pride in the hard work and service I provide. It is reassuring to know that I have representation to protect my wages, benefits, and keep me safe on the job. There are many other Americans who are not as fortunate; however, in passing the Employee Free Choice Act, all Americans will have the opportunity to decide for themselves if they would like that same representation.