Rep. Gutierrez's (D-Ill.) immigration bill, introduced this week, charts a new course for our country -- a course that protects workers and respects families. It also reflects our nation's interests and our better instincts.
The legislation upholds our values as a nation of immigrants and embraces the vitality and diversity that are the fabric of a vibrant and strong society. It truly could not have come soon enough for America's workers -- both immigrant and native born.
As wages fall and unemployment rises, as the middle class shrinks, working families need bold policy solutions that lift wages, create quality jobs and build our economy for the long term.
Immigration reform is a critical part of that road to recovery.
This is the case because the immigration debate is really about all workers, and their ability to live a decent life.
Because of our broken immigration system, native-born and immigrant workers are pitted against each other in the job market, entangled in a dangerous race to the bottom. The status quo of a two-tiered workforce makes it easy for employers to exploit undocumented workers, driving down wages and labor standards for everyone. Workers are denied the opportunity to demand vigorous labor and civil rights protections that will raise living standards for everyone. Instead, employers have all the power -- dividing and conquering American and immigrant workers so they are left fighting over the crumbs.
This is unacceptable.
The only way we can truly turn around declining working conditions in America is to get undocumented immigrants out of the underground economy, into the system and on an equal playing field with all workers. Only then will we be able to restore economic fairness and raise wages and living standards for everyone.
SEIU and UFCW represent workers in a broad range of industries -- including nurses, long-term care providers, meatpackers, food service, grocery and textile workers, janitors, and security guards. While their specific job challenges vary, over the past 20 years, these workers have all seen their productivity go up while their incomes have gone down. The companies and the CEOs that they work for have made record profits, and yet these workers have seen their pensions dry up, their wages freeze and their co-workers dismissed. For their non-unionized colleagues, life has been even tougher. Wages have plummeted, layoffs have soared, and job quality has suffered new lows.
While the cause for these dismal working conditions are complex -- due in large part to an economic system that has benefited the wealthy few at the expense of the majority -- fixing our immigration system is an important part of the solution. Indeed, as President Obama has said, comprehensive immigration reform is a necessary part of any plan for sustained economic growth.
Today, as comprehensive immigration reform legislation begins to move in Congress, we face an historic opportunity to pass smart, comprehensive reform that works. For the first time, the union movement is in broad agreement on the framework for reform, and we are committed to ensuring that all workers have an opportunity to work a job they can be proud of -- one with middle class wages, benefits they can raise their families on, safe working conditions, and secure employment they can count on.
So, to those out-of-touch, anti-immigrant legislators who decry "amnesty" but offer no realistic solution -- we say that the patience of the American worker is wearing thin. In the coming months, labor unions will join with concerned American workers across the country to make our voices heard.
Contrary to that tired CEO argument about immigrants being willing to work jobs that Americans won't do, nobody wants a job with low wages, few benefits and no security. We can't allow America to become a country where a person's race, color or origin relegates them to such a path. And we can't allow America to become a place where multi-national corporations, by way of our immigration system, create an economy where low-pay no-benefit jobs are the only jobs available to anyone who lives here. America's workers need Congress to act now.
Joe Hansen is President of the United Food and Commercial Workers International Union (UFCW), which represents more than 1.3 million workers, primarily in the retail and meatpacking, food processing and poultry industries.
Eliseo Medina is Executive Vice President of the Service Employees International Union (SEIU), the largest union of immigrants in North America, representing 2.2 million members.
24.1 million foreign workers in America !
Politicians can increase immigration at their own risk.
Instead of demanding our government enforce the laws that protect our labor markets, calling a labor action when the treatment is unfair, or involving the NRLB when the law is broken, this Union leader wants the easy way out with the rule of the dictator. Get the government to legalize Illegal Immigrants and then freeze them in place as a captive, unionized workforce with him in charge and no more hard work. Don't like the way wages are going? Utter an edict. Meanwhile those who are currently unemployed stay unemployed because legalization in the context of unionization means those currently working can't be fired. Illegal Immigrants no longer fear loosing their jobs while the poor Citizen is trapped in unemployed. That is the true dirty secret here.
The current system has simply not been enforced. The current laws on hiring of illegals currently on the books are not enforced as liberal/immigrant rights groups use thir influence to prevent it from happening. In addition, the borders have not been secured, we have a "anchor baby" clause that is misinterpreted, giving incentives for further illegal immigration, etc.
Illegal immigrants are being exploited by workers and that is wrong. However, there are simply not enough high paying jobs to go around. It's a very complex issue.
The taxpayers will be subsidizing the healthcare, education and welfare of illegal immigrant children for years because their parents cannot earn a decent wage due to their skill levels. This is a heavy burdon on society. Yes, I don't believe that if you come into the country illegals that your children should automatically become American citizens. The rest of the industrialized world doesn't do that.
The fundamental problem is that none of these practices are fair to American workers--who should never have to stand in line for a job behind someone who came into the country illegally--no matter where they are from. American workers spend their entire paychecks in this country--but over $35B a year is remitted to foreign countries. So, robbing American workers to enrich businesses and illegal workers and cheapen compensation is fair? Not in my opinion. It never is.
Then of course Republicans will be against it. They've just spent eight years proving to America they are anti-worker, anti-family, and very violently against our nation's interests.
There is NO specific thing mentioned other than to make illegal immigrants legal. That is an employers dream. Without any means to verify that workers are here legally and have the right to a job, there will be an unlimited supply of scabs to break any union. Or the union will break any maveriks who fight against such low wages. All he wants is more union dues, and can care less about the wages. The Swift workers in Denver got a $3/hr RAISE when ICE raided that plant and got rid of the illegals. THAT is how to increase wages!
The politicians who made this promise then simply refused to enforce the bill they passed and swore to uphold. They betrayed this country. Now, the problem is huge, and their "solution" is to cave in yet again. Thsi is completely unacceptable. The batt;e over this will make healt care reform seem like childs play.
All illegal immigrants should be sent home and a program of temporary guest workers should be set up. Illegal immigration can never again be rewarded.
No Republicans are supporting this amnesty as of now.
http://www.steinreport.com/archives/013052.html
P.S. What happened to my other post?
As good neighbor's, we can pledge not to come south. And IF they respect that arrangement, we will continue to do trade business with them. Else, they can trade with partners on their southern border.
Things have changed economically in this country. We need to have compassion for those with American children.
Unions? Who is going to join unions when there are 10 or 15 other people applying for your job every week - just on the chance the boss fires you or someone else. Who is going to ask for a raise? How many states will have the entire business community arguing for "right to work" laws if the state doesn't have them?
An overabundance of anything devalues that commodity. You've veen able to buy very respectable California wine for $2-$3 a bottle for the last five years. California wineries overplanted, and produced far too much wine for consumption. Wine is still great, but not the "greatest." Have to sell it somehow, so only avenue is cheap. Consumer makes out big time. Wine producers, not so much.
The suffering of the world is not our problem. Mexico is not our problem. Granted I think that we should improve our relations with all our colonial neighbors (and yes, mexicans are colonists), this is not the way.
The illegals are already organized. You are a day late and a dollar short, my friend.