[Congressional Record Volume 155, Number 59 (Wednesday, April 22, 2009)]
[Senate]
[Page S4571]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




             VERMONT CELEBRATES ITS LEADERS IN LABOR RIGHTS

 Mr. SANDERS. Mr. President, I wish to rise today to honor two 
Vermont businesses, Chroma Technology Corporation and Seventh 
Generation, which have been named to the 2009 List of Most Democratic 
Workplaces. This list, compiled by the labor rights organization 
WorldBlu, selects the gold standard in fair labor practices each year.
  By creating incentives for workers to constructively participate in 
the governance of their company, Chroma Technology Corporation of 
Rockingham, VT, exemplifies the ideal of the Most Democratic Workplace. 
With a decentralized power structure, and with every worker eligible to 
become a member of the board of directors, employees genuinely play a 
major role in business decisions and company practices. Moreover, 
Chroma is 100 percent employee owned, and sets a limit on executive 
compensation, a limit determined by a ratio of the pay scale for the 
lowest-paid workers in the firm. Chroma has also developed an 
innovative profit-sharing system for all its employees.
  The other Vermont business to receive this prestigious award, Seventh 
Generation, is a producer of cleaning and home care products in 
Burlington, VT. This impressive firm truly challenges its employees to 
not only participate in all aspects of the company's operations, but 
also to take the company's mission of positive change and apply it to 
the outside world. Employees can apply for committee-approved paid 
sabbaticals in order to participate in philanthropic endeavors. To 
foster companywide professional development, Seventh Generation 
combines teambuilding with cross-functional communication so employees 
gain perspective on the company's big picture operations and goals. 
Through these professional opportunities and many other policies, 
employees work outside of the box and come to share the mission of the 
company.
  Perhaps not all companies can adopt every strategy of these two 
industry leaders, but we should recognize the value of their business 
models. Both Chroma and Seventh Generation go above and beyond the duty 
of an employer, and our entire economy benefits from the investment 
they make in training the best employees possible. I urge every 
American company--indeed every lawmaker in Congress--to consider the 
lessons we can take from these Most Democratic Workplaces. Improving 
job training and developing human resources is important, especially in 
our current challenging economy; at the same time, investment in 
workers creates a lasting benefit that lays the foundation for a strong 
future.
  Treating workers with dignity and respect, enabling them to not only 
develop their capacities, but participate in decisionmaking, is 
essential to creating democratic and productive workplaces.
  Mr. President, I commend Chroma Technology and Seventh Generation for 
a job very well done and to congratulate them on their selection as a 
2009 Most Democratic Workplace.

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