The right to organize a union begins with First Amendment freedoms: the fundamental freedom
of assembly and freedom of speech. Being able to gather together, having a voice at
work, winning better wages and securing dignity on the job all begin with the basic right to
talk with co-workers about forming a union.
But across North America, that right is under attack. With help from a sympathetic administration
in Washington, D.C. and advice from a legion of anti-union law firms, employers
are harassing, threatening and firing employees brave enough to stand up for their right to
organize.
According to a recent study by Cornell University, ninety-two percent of employers forced
employees interested in forming a union to attend closed door meetings to hear anti-union
propaganda; nearly 80 percent required supervisors to deliver anti-union messages and 75
percent hired anti-union consultants.
Additionally, half of all employers facing unionization threatened to shut down their operations
if employees joined a union. One in four private sector employers illegally fired workers
who wanted to form unions.
If we’re serious about protecting our rights as union members, then we have to get serious
about protecting the rights of men and women who are trying to join our movement.
There is no better opportunity to make our collective voices heard than to get involved in
the mobilizing activities on International Human Rights Day on December 10, 2005. A key
goal is to rally support for the Employee Free Choice Act, legislation requiring employees
to recognize a union after a majority of workers sign cards authorizing union representation.
For more information about International Human Rights Day, the Employee Free Choice
Act and to locate Dec.10 activities in your area, please visit the special AFL-CIO website
http://www.aflcio.org/joinaunion/voiceatwork/d10.cfm and watch for regular updates on
www.goiam.org..