Why Union?

I have been hearing the same dreaded question about why we need unions since I've been active and I think people forget some of the things unions stood behind, such as:

• 2 day weekends, 8 hour days and compressed workweeks;
• shift premiums and overtime/STAT wages;
• building the middle class with living wages, benefits and job security, ;
• job loss packages when companies are downsizing;
• health and safety laws and worker compensation when injured;
• organizing rights and buffering the employees from employers; and,
• universal health care.

It is up to us as union members to reach for higher levels of inclusion.

We are the people doing the work that serves the people.

We are the people who need to fight for a fair share for earnings, benefits and insurance so we can reduce taxation and debt load.

We can build a stronger middle class with financial clout, investment in workplace organizing and smart voting tactics when governments ask for support.

Our kids, current students and the lowest paid in society have the most to benefit from our solidarity as a union.

If you need anymore reason to wonder "why union?" please consider these words

"The test of our progress is not whether we add more to the abundance of those who have much, it is whether we provide enough for those who have too little."

-Franklin Delano Roosevelt

In solidarity, Emidio.