CONTACT:  Jasmine Lyons  (202) 822-7823 

December 8, 2006 

Nation's Largest Union and Congressional Leaders Defend Workers Rights

NEA President Addresses Thousands at U.S. Capitol

WASHINGTON—Thousands rallied today at the U.S. Capitol to urge Congress to pass the Employee Free Choice Act, which would strengthen protections for workers seeking union representation.

Nearly 57 million employees say they would join a union if they had the opportunity according to a nationwide survey by Peter D. Hart Research Associates.

Reg Weaver, president of the National Education Association, addressed the crowd and called for passage of this critical legislation. “Working families should be revered, respected and rewarded for the work they do. Instead, they are underpaid, underappreciated and under attack in the workplace,” said Weaver. “Our nation’s workers deserve better.”

So what prevents millions of employees from exercising their right to form a union at the workplace? Harassment, intimidation, coercion and even firing workers are examples of tactics used by employers to stop workers from uniting in solidarity based on the Hart survey and research from Cornell University scholar Kate Bronfenbrenner.

Under the act, employers will be held more accountable for denying employees’ right to organize or obtain a first contract. In addition, the National Labor Relations Board will be responsible for determining whether a union will be recognized, whereas under current law this decision is left to the employer. As a result, employers can refuse to recognize the union and request a National Labor Relations Board election.

The rally, sponsored by AFL-CIO, also included remarks from Sen. Edward Kennedy, D-Mass.; Rep. George Miller, D-Calif.; John J. Sweeney, president, AFL-CIO; and Edward J. McElroy, president, American Federation of Teachers.

Sen. Kennedy and Rep. Miller along with Sen. Arlen Specter, R-Pa., and Rep. Peter King, R-N.Y., first introduced the act in the 109th Congress. The bipartisan legislation will be reintroduced to the 110th Congress in 2007.

“We know the truth: our jobs, our sweat and our dedication keep this great nation moving forward,” Weaver said. “People who work hard have a basic right to organize and bargain collectively for living wages and access to health care and other benefits. This act will give them that chance."

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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.