Vital Legislation Key to Rebuilding the Middle Class

Vital Legislation Key to Rebuilding the Middle Class

Support the Employee Free Choice Act

As union members, we all know the value of strong representation in the workplace.  We also know what it is like to fight for our right to have a voice on the job, a say in how we are treated, our hours of work and the wages and benefits we receive.  But, millions of non-union workers across the country don't have these rights, and it's time for that to change.

The Employee Free Choice Act (EFCA) is an important piece of legislation that is a critical step in rebuilding the middle class and revitalizing our sagging economy.  EFCA must pass for working families to maintain their standard of living.

History has shown that our economy performs its best when the middle class is its strongest.  However, over the years, we have seen corporate America continue to manipulate the system by lying, lobbying, and litigating away workers rights.  The system has become so one-sided in favor of the employers that many workers are scared to even mention the word union, much less attempt to join one.

We know that a vast majority of working Americans want union representation.  A study by Hart Research Associates found that almost 60 persent of non-managerial American workers would join a union if they could.  So, why have we seen union numbers decline over the past 30 years?

Right now, a majority of workers must first sign cards if they want to join a union.  Then they need to get permission for an election.  After an election date is set (a minimum of 45 days later),  they generally go through a drawn out election campaign.  Often, the company appeals the election results again and again.  Many times employers refuse to negotiate with a union even after workers elect one.

Since the 1970s, corporations have become experts at harassing and intimidating their workers during that long process.  It's known as "union busting".  A whole industry of consultants and lawyers grew up around it. 

The Employee Free Choice Act, now before Congress, would restore fairness to union organizing.  It says that if a majority of workers sign cards to join a union, then they join a union - so long as the government certifies that the cards are valid.  If the company refuses to negotiate with the union, they can ask for federal mediation and then arbitration.

The Employee Free Choice Act will help level the playing field and give workers the right to seek union representation free of intimidation from the company.  It is time to put the power back in the hands of the people who actually get their hands dirty for a living.


More Local 344 News

Support Your Union Grocers!
 

Please Shop at the Following Milwaukee Area

Food Stores Employing Members of

UFCW Local 1473

 

Rueben's County Market -   1566 E. Sumner Street, Hartford

 

Outpost Natural Foods -        100 E. Capitol Drive, Milwaukee

                                                7000 W. State Street, Wauwatosa

                                            2826 S. Kinnickinnic Avenue, Milwaukee

 

 

Pick ‘n Save Food Stores

 

4698 S. Whitnall Avenue, St. Francis                        
N95 W18273 County Line Rd., Menomonee Falls

6760 W. National Avenue, West Allis                                  
11300 N. Port Washington Road, Mequon

4200 S. 76th Street, Greenfield
2625 S. 108th Street, West Allis

605 E. Lyon Street, Milwaukee                                
1827 Wisconsin Avenue, Grafton

250 W. Holt Avenue, Milwaukee                             
12735
W. Capitol Drive, Brookfield

9200 N. Green Bay Road, Brown Deer                                
8770 S. Howell Avenue, Oak Creek

220 E. Sunset Drive, Waukesha                               
1818 W. National Avenue, Milwaukee

2160 Silvernail Road, Pewaukee                               
5800 S. 108th Street, Hales Corners

17630 W. Bluemound Road, Brookfield                   
3701 S. 27th Street, Milwaukee

6950 W. State Street, Wauwatosa                             
5851 S. Packard Avenue, Cudahy

2205 N. Calhoun Road, Brookfield                           
4145 N. Oakland Avenue, Shorewood

N78 W14501 Appleton Ave., Menomonee Falls      
8151 W. Bluemound Road, Milwaukee

8120 W. Brown Deer Road, Milwaukee                   
6969 N. Port Washington Road, Milwaukee

2931 S. Chicago Avenue, South Milwaukee             
2355 N. 35th Street, Milwaukee

1735 W. Silver Spring Drive, Glendale                                 
13995
W. National Avenue, New Berlin

1100 E. Garfield Avenue, Milwaukee                                   
11111
W. Greenfield Avenue, West Allis

 

 

Sentry Food Stores

 

2304 W. St. Paul Avenue, Waukesha                        
7140 S. 76th Street, Franklin

630 E. Wisconsin Avenue, Oconomowoc                 
701 N. Meadowbrook Road, Waukesha

123 W. Oklahoma Avenue, Milwaukee        

                                   

 

 

 

United Food & Commercial Workers Union

Local 1473



Looking at Buying a Car or Truck?

 

Please Shop at these Dealerships.

 

They employ TEAMSTERS!

 

Support your brothers & sisters at Local 43.

 

Garbo Lincoln-Mercury          Palmen Dodge Jeep

3077 Douglas Ave.                   8320 Washington Ave.

Racine, WI                             Racine, WI

 

 

Palmen Pontiac Buick GMC      Porcaro Ford

6001 Washington Ave.               5910 Washington Ave.

Racine, WI                              Racine, WI

 


 

Do NOT shop at any of the

Boucher Group Dealership

in Wisconsin.

 

The Boucher Group is trying to take the pensions away from our Teamster brothers and sisters who work at their Racine dealership.



 

Worker’s Comp. Claim Denied?

If you disagree, you can contact

 the

Wisconsin

Department of Workforce Development

And

 request a hearing application

form WKC-7

(608) 266-1340

 

For a free Legal Consultation, contact the Law Firm of

 

Previant, Goldberg, Uelmen, Gratz, Miller & Brueggeman, s.c. 

414-271-4500 

 

Contact your Local 344 Business Representative for more information regarding your rights and responsibilities.


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