[Congressional Record Volume 144, Number 83 (Tuesday, June 23, 1998)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1203]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                    ``DAY TO MAKE OUR VOICES HEARD''

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. PETER J. VISCLOSKY

                               of indiana

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, June 23, 1998

  Mr. VISCLOSKY. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to talk about the critical 
importance of union organizing in protecting working families. ``The 
Day To Make Our Voices Heard'' campaign highlights successful 
organizing drives and shows how they improve workers' standards of 
living and working conditions. The campaign focuses public attention on 
the many obstacles workers face in exercising their right to union 
representation. This week's events are especially important in building 
coalitions among workers, union leaders, as well as political and 
community leaders--coalitions that will hold up the example of 
responsible employers and build public pressure against employers who 
trample the right of their workers to organize.
  In Northwest Indiana--the region I represent--and throughout our 
country, the opportunity to join a union means a guarantee that workers 
share in the benefits of increased productivity. The ability to join a 
union means that you will earn an average 34 percent more than a 
nonunion worker. The ability to join a union means that you are more 
likely to receive health benefits from your employer and higher quality 
benefits that will protect your family members in the case of a serious 
illness. The ability to join a union means that you are more likely to 
have a decent pension that will provide you and your spouse with a 
secure retirement. The ability to join a union means that you will have 
a greater say in how your workplace is run, which will lead to a safer 
and more productive workplace.
  And what has protecting workers' ability to join unions meant to our 
country? Over the past century, America's unions have helped build the 
largest middle class in the history of the world. As we move into the 
next century, good union jobs will continue to be essential to building 
and maintaining communities that are strong both economically and 
socially.
  Now you would think that the Congress would be doing everything it 
could to protect workers right to union representation. Sadly, that is 
not the case. Just this March, the Republican majority in the House 
pushed through legislation that would overturn a unanimous 1995 Supreme 
Court decision recognizing the right of all workers to seek employment, 
regardless of their membership in a union or their support for union 
representation in their new workplace. And every year, we see attempts 
in the Congress to cut funding for the National Labor Relations Board--
the federal agency responsible for preventing unfair labor practices by 
employers and unions.
  Mr. Speaker, it is high time that Members of the House make our 
voices heard in support of union organizing efforts across the country. 
We owe this--higher wages, better benefits, safer workplaces--and much 
more to the working men and women of America.

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