American workers haven't been getting a fair shake. They are working even longer hours yet still struggling to make ends meet. Unfortunately, increased productivity for our nation's workers hasn't led to increased wages for them. According to a survey by the group United for a Fair Economy, CEO's of large U.S. companies averaged $10.8 million in total compensation in 2006, more than 364 times the pay of the average worker! It is time that we start rebuilding the middle class, and passage of the Employee Free Choice Act will do just that.

Research has shown that 60 million Americans would join a union if they could. Unions allow workers to collectively bargain for those things that every worker deserves - decent wages, affordable healthcare, and safety in the workplace. In fact, workers who belong to unions earn 30% more than non-union workers and are 63% more likely to have employer-provided healthcare. However, more and more workers are finding it difficult to form a union as employers harass, intimidate, and even fire those trying to organize. The election process is also unnecessarily long and drawn out, allowing employers to wage lengthy anti-union campaigns. And even if workers choose to form a union, some employers continue to ignore the rights of their employees. 32% of workers find themselves without a first contract a year after choosing union representation.

The current environment in which workers must try to organize is neither fair nor democratic. The Employee Free Choice Act would level the playing field and ensure that workers' freedom to choose whether to join a union is protected by doing the following:

- Allowing workers to choose the "voluntary recognition" process of organizing, whereby union representation is recognized after a majority of workers sign cards in support of the union

- Providing for first contract mediation and arbitration so that workers have their first collective bargaining agreement in a timely manner

- Providing stiffer penalties for employers who violate workers' rights and retaliate against those who are trying to form unions

It is time that American workers truly have a voice at work and that freedom of choice in the workplace is protected. You can help by sending a letter to your members of Congress asking for their support of the Employee Free Choice Act (sample e-mail provided below).

Let's help rebuild the American middle class and get our country back on track - please send a letter to your representatives today!

Sample Letter for Campaign

Dear [ Decision Maker ] ,

I urge you to support the Employee Free Choice Act, which will protect the rights of workers across our nation to establish and participate in a union without harassment or intimidation from employers. This legislation will help rebuild the middle class in our country.

Some employers have not been fairly distributing the profits derived from increased employee productivity, and the American middle class continues to shrink. Being able to form a union has become one of the only ways that workers can guarantee that their interests are heard. Collective bargaining through a union allows millions of workers across this country to receive what every worker in America deserves - decent wages, affordable healthcare, and safety in the workplace.

However, today in many parts of the country, when workers try to form unions, they are routinely fired, threatened, and coerced. As the law currently stands, union elections are susceptible to delay and often favor employers in their fights against workers' unions. We must have strong laws defending the basic freedom of workers to choose for themselves whether to have a union.

The Employee Free Choice Act reduces barriers preventing many workers from organizing unions by imposing stiffer penalties against employers that violate labor law and would set up a process for newly-organized workers to negotiate a first contract in a timely manner. Under this bill, workers could also choose to follow the "voluntary recognition" method of organizing, whereby workers choose union representation through a process in which a majority signs cards indicating their support.

It is time to grant working families the basic freedoms and protections they need. I urge you to co-sponsor the Employee Free Choice Act.

Sincerely,

Campaign Launched:
December 22, 2008