[Congressional Record Volume 157, Number 36 (Thursday, March 10, 2011)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E452]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




 INTRODUCTION OF A RESOLUTION SUPPORTING THE RIGHTS OF ALL WORKERS AND 
          CALLING FOR AN END TO THE RECENT ATTACKS ON WORKERS

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                       HON. ELEANOR HOLMES NORTON

                        of district of columbia

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, March 10, 2011

  Ms. NORTON. Mr. Speaker, today I rise, in advance of leading a 
special order this evening, to offer a resolution supporting the rights 
of all workers, including federal employees and other public employees, 
and calling for the end to attacks on their ability to organize and to 
collectively bargain. There are only a few salient rights recognized by 
every democracy, such as freedom of religion and freedom of speech, and 
on that list always appears the right for workers to organize in order 
to bargain collectively with an employer. It has long been recognized 
that individual workers have little, if any, bargaining power sitting 
alone with an employer who has hired or could hire her. When unions 
organize workers, the ground becomes more level and economic conditions 
decide the outcome.
  Mr. Speaker, the American labor movement has been a major catalyst 
for the formation of a majority middle class in the United States by 
leading the way for improvements for all workers, which unions have 
gained through collective bargaining. I ask the House to join me in 
recognizing the American union movement and those who work in the 
public and private sectors.

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