Huffington Post: Women's Equality Day -- A Union Demand

[Omaha Steve]

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/carol-joyner/womens-equality-day----a-union-demand_b_8045662.html

Carol Joyner Posted: 09/01/2015 6:51 pm EDT Updated: 09/01/2015 6:59 pm EDT
Carol Joyner is the Director of the Labor Project for Working Families (LPWF), in partnership with Family Values @ Work.

I grew up in a union family; both my parents were public sector workers. Even as a child, I was clear that my family was able to go to the AFSCME DC37 dental clinic because my mother was a member. My parents knew they'd receive regular wage increases, family health care, pensions and job security sufficient to invest in their futures: a house, kids, good schools, retirement, etc. In return, they paid payroll taxes and could contribute in a myriad of ways to their community.

All that resulted from belonging to a union.

Can people do well without belonging to a union? Sure. But it was near impossible before the rise of unions in the 1930s and it has been harder since the decline of unions in the '70s. A significant percentage of the population has been economically disadvantaged without unions. We know that the 40-year decline in unionization mirrors the 40-year increase in income gains of the top 10 percent -- the shifting of wealth from the middle class to the wealthy. Unions make a difference.

This is especially true for working women.

FULL story at link.


Photo Credit: CWA Women's Committee 2015 Convention