CONTACT:  Will Potter  (202) 822-7823 

September 6, 2006 

Democratic Leadership Council Joins Forces With Leading Labor Unions on Workers' Rights Legislation

DLC Announces Interest in Broader Collaboration with Unions 

WASHINGTON—The Democratic Leadership Council announced a collaboration today with leading labor unions on worker protection issues, and support for the Employee Free Choice Act. The National Education Association applauded the move to protect workers’ rights.

The NEA was one of the founding members of the Democratic Leadership Council, and has been working closely with the DLC on labor issues. The NEA also announced its support for the Employee Free Choice Act, S. 842 and H.R. 1696, which would protect the right of workers to organize.

The following can be attributed to Reg Weaver, NEA president:

“We are pleased that the Democratic Leadership Council has continued to find common ground with organized labor on a number of issues, including workers’ rights. This type of coordination will go a long way in protecting the rights of workers in all job settings, including the right to organize. This is great news for all workers, including the teachers and education support professionals NEA represents, and we’re pleased to be a part of it.”

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The National Education Association is the nation's largest professional employee organization, representing 3.2 million elementary and secondary teachers, higher education faculty, education support professionals, school administrators, retired educators and students preparing to become teachers.