[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 159 (2013), Part 9]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 13258]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




 RECOGNIZING THE IMPORTANCE OF AN ORGANIZED WORKFORCE AND LABOR UNIONS

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                       HON. EDDIE BERNICE JOHNSON

                                of texas

                    in the house of representatives

                       Monday, September 9, 2013

  Ms. EDDIE BERNICE JOHNSON of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to 
recognize the importance of an organized workforce, and the critical 
role that labor unions play in the building of a robust and diverse 
economy. The United States has benefitted greatly from the labor 
movement, and protecting workers' rights is more important now than 
ever before, particularly for African Americans.
  Labor unions have provided a range of benefits for working men and 
women throughout our history, many of which we take for granted as 
being a normal part of life in the workplace. Simple concepts such as 
weekends and paid vacation time are thanks to the efforts of labor 
unions. More complex protections such as workplace safety standards and 
anti-discrimination laws also are the result of an organized and 
informed workforce coming together to resist unfair demands by 
employers.
  Within the African American community, labor unions have provided a 
pathway to greater income equality and fairness in the workplace. While 
African American union workers can earn up to $10,000 or 31 percent 
more than non-union members, workers across all races enjoy better 
wages when they are a member of a union. More simply, organized labor 
enables fair wages, safe working conditions, and equality in the 
workplace.
  Mr. Speaker, as our economy continues its recovery, it is important 
that we preserve a sense of decency and respect among our workers. 
Fifty years ago, the March on Washington was as much a civil rights 
movement as it was a labor movement. Labor unions have fought to 
protect working men and women across all races, and I encourage my 
colleagues to continue this legacy by standing up for the rights of all 
working men and women across our great nation.

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