[Congressional Record Volume 144, Number 83 (Tuesday, June 23, 1998)]
[House]
[Page H4970]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                       WORKERS' RIGHT TO ORGANIZE

  The SPEAKER pro tempore (Mr. Shimkus). Under the Speaker's announced 
policy of January 21, 1997, the gentleman from Massachusetts (Mr. Neal) 
is recognized during morning hour debates until 9:50.
  Mr. NEAL of Massachusetts. Mr. Speaker, it is important for me to 
stand here this morning and to recognize the significant influences 
that unions have had on our local communities. The ability and the 
right of workers to organize across this Nation have allowed for the 
most basic civil rights to be upheld. Equal opportunity and treatment, 
freedom of speech and certainly freedom of assembly.
  It is imperative that we as a Congress, acting on behalf of all 
citizens in this Nation, safeguard the right of workers to organize and 
to reap the benefits of union membership that have been given to 
generations in the past. This booming economy that we are now 
experiencing will only continue to be stimulated by an expansion of 
unionized workers. However, some employers have used threats of 
harassment, intimidation and coercion to deter employees from making 
the choice to join with their coworkers to form unions and, yes, to 
bargain collectively. Such activity cannot and should not be allowed to 
continue. It contradicts the core foundations of our democracy.
  Unions provide for and ensure equality, stability and security in the 
workplace. Unions guarantee that the voices of employees, regardless of 
their level of seniority, educational background or level of expertise, 
all are heard by employers. Unions afford each worker with a means to 
resolve disputes and to participate in the decision-making process in 
their workplace.
  It is hypocritical for Congress to fight on behalf of human rights 
violations worldwide without recognizing the human and civil rights 
violations that are committed by some employers in America. The right 
to organize must be observed by all employers, and fear of reprisals 
against workers must be eradicated. No individual should ever fear 
losing his or her economic existence merely for expressing an opinion 
or by association.
  The right to organize, the right to collective bargaining, are basic 
and accepted by the broad mainstream of this Nation. The success that 
unions have had have helped to lift all of us in America. We recognize 
these basic rights today and give thanks for the good work that unions 
have accomplished across America.

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