President Obama Wants You to Join the Union

I do not view the labor movement as part of the problem, to me it's part of the solution.

-- President Barack Obama, January 30, 2009

The great union leader John L. Lewis, who headed the United Mine Workers from the '30s through the '50s and helped organize millions of workers into the CIO, used to declare in organizing drives: "President Roosevelt wants you to join the union." Roosevelt never said that in so many words, but FDR did strongly back the Wagner Act, giving workers the clear right to organize.

During World War II, Roosevelt's War Labor Board made clear that corporations seeking war contracts needed to have good labor relations. In practice, that meant unions; and it meant "pattern bargaining" in which workers for different companies in the same industry got the same wages, so that companies could not play workers off against each other.

Roosevelt's wartime contracting policies, the Wagner Act, and the militancy of the labor movement laid the groundwork for the golden age of American unions during the postwar boom. Not coincidentally, this was also the one period in the past century when the economy became more equal, and more secure for working people.

So, while Roosevelt's words never quite urged workers to join unions, his deeds spoke volumes. John L. Lewis was well within the bounds of poetic license.

On Friday, President Obama, a onetime organizer, had more words to say about unions, and they were the kind of explicit endorsement that we literally haven't heard from a president since FDR's day.

"We need to level the playing field for workers and the unions that represent their interests, because we know that you cannot have a strong middle class without a strong labor movement," the President said. "When workers are prospering, they buy products that make businesses prosper. We can be competitive and lean and mean and still create a situation where workers are thriving in this country."

Wow!

And Obama offered deeds to match. This stunning declaration of support came at the White House announcement of a Task Force on Middle Class Working Families headed by Vice President Biden, with Jared Bernstein as its executive director. The idea was proposed last summer by Change to Win unions, who endorsed candidate Obama early in the primary season. He embraced the concept, and it was a commitment he kept. His remarks and actions were a dazzling example of the transformative power of a president to shift public opinion and the political center of gravity.

The task force, and the effusive and genuine embrace of the labor movement, came as a huge relief to union leaders, who have watched anxiously as nearly all the key economic posts went to centrist veterans of the Clinton administration, and the job of secretary of labor was not announced with the other senior economic officials. As it turned out, the appointment of Hilda Solis, a very pro-union member of Congress, was delayed because others had turned down the job first, but the delay sent an unfortunate signal.

Labor activists have also been worried about whether Obama will keep his pledge not just to sign the Employee Free Choice Act (EFCA) guaranteeing the right to join a union, but to work hard on its behalf with legislators, especially in the Senate. Since the election, the US Chamber of Commerce and allied anti-union business organizations have mounted a furious publicity and lobbying offensive with one message: Mr. President, you don't need this bruising fight right now.

But the Chamber's allies in the Republican House Caucus have beautifully undercut that logic. The Chamber's premise was that EFCA would be highly divisive, at a time then the new president was seeking unity. With the wall-to-wall Republican stonewalling on the Obama recovery package, that premise is up in smoke. And the Chamber's other allies, on Wall Street, have also done a service by inviting some salutary class warfare. Obama responded last week, calling Wall Street bonuses in the face of government bailouts "shameful," and seems to genuinely view the growth of unions as a necessary counterweight.

The task force itself will be a welcome counterweight to the outsized influence of Wall Street inside the Obama administration. Several weeks ago, Jared Bernstein, then a senior economist at the Economic Policy Institute, wrote a joint op-ed piece for the New York Timeswith Robert Rubin pointing out where they agreed. One issue where they pointedly disagreed was on the Employee Free Choice Act, which Rubin explicitly refused to endorse. The Biden operation now looks to be the go-to place for progressives seeing access to Obama's priorities. The Task Force will serve as the White House center to review all proposals, legislative and administrative, for their impact on the effort to raise wages and rebuild a middle class.

Without Obama's strong personal engagement, EFCA will be anything but a legislative cakewalk. Democrats may have a working majority. But at least five business-oriented Democrats are not considered certain votes for EFCA, and Obama will need to let them know that the White House considers this bill a top priority.

Our last two Democrats went out of their way not to get close to organized labor. Jimmy Carter did not lift a finger when the last big push to put some teeth back in the Wagner Act's right to unionize went down to defeat by just two votes in the Senate in 1978.

On Friday, announcing the Task Force, Obama signed three executive orders. One will prevent federal contractors from discouraging their employees to join unions. Another will assure that workers keep their jobs when a contract changes hands. Down the road is an executive order to promote project agreements on construction contracts.

If Obama is serious, he can take a leaf from FDR's book, and use government's extensive contracting power to actively promote unions. Late in the Clinton administration, then Vice President Al Gore led an effort called the Responsible Contractor Initiative. The idea was to reward federal contractors who took the high road by providing good jobs and not standing in the way of unions.

It remains to be seen just how much real power Obama will give Vice President Biden. But the task force is a superb beginning. If government can just use its influence to make sure employers stay neutral, it will be a new day for the labor movement--and for American progressivism.

Robert Kuttner is Co-Editor of The American Prospect. His new book is "Obama's Challenge: America's Economic Crisis and the Power of a Transformative Presidency."

 

Comments

[murderBYzeN]

What is a union anyhow....a thing where people in the unemployment line hold hands or something? Certainly unions are working great for the auto industry. They are thriving I have been told!!!

[herman3]

HELP!!!

Daschle filed the amended tax returns after Obama announced he intended to nominate him as secretary of health and human services.

He recently filed amended returns for 2005-07 to report $128,203 in back taxes and $11,964 in interest.

"I disclosed this information to the committee voluntarily and paid the taxes and any interest owed promptly," Daschle wrote.

"My mistakes were unintentional." HA HA HA HA !!!

I AM ABOVE THE LAW I WILL PAY NO PENALTY!!

OBAMA CHANGE YOU CAN BELIEVE IN!!!!

“Make no mistake, tax cheaters cheat us all, and the IRS should enforce our laws to the letter” - Sen. Tom Daschle, Congressional Record, May 7, 1998, p. S4507

[Gotcha54]

I worked at a very well-grounded company who was a partner with the Teamsters. And I think at the time is was like an hour and a half or 2 hours of your pay amounted to your monthly dues. So out of an average of 160 hours worked in the month I would have to pay only 2 of those hours as dues.

The benefits I received in pay and medical, disability, retirement, the list goes on and on I received for those 2 hours I would give the pay of to the Union.

I was born and raised in Detroit and worked for the UAW in the early 70's and the postal union in the late 70's and early 80's and finally with the Teamsters from 1986 until I was diagnosed with a disease with no cure. The Union stepped up and informed me of my benefits throughout.

Whereas the company treated me like a number and just slid someone my junior into my slot as they had to pay them less and insist on more. Not once during the decade I've been suffering with this illness I've not once heard from management. And as the disability's were exhausting as the time went on I was left with 10 days notice that benefits would no longer be available. It was a disgusting show of the company I once loved working for and bled Brown from.

[Tom Walker]

It is instructive to recall that the strategy adopted by organized labor in its founding years to raise living standards was to limit the standard working day to eight-hours. The rationale for that strategy and its importance have, unfortunately, faded from memory. Often in the past, opponents of organized labor misrepresented the unions' case for the reduction of working time. The underlying argument of my draft submission to the White House Task Force on Working Families -- econospeak.blogspot.com/2009/01/task-force.html -- is that it is time to reconsider and rehabilitate the "surprisingly apposite" founding philosophy of the American labor movement. Sharing the work and sparing the planet comprehensively addresses the Task Force issues of green jobs, labor standards, work and family balance and fairness in the distribution of the benefits of economic growth.

[macrophone]

The explosion in inequality is due to the exploitation of foreign labor NOT DOMESTIC LABOR! The coffers of the investor class are being filled by the lost wages of those who make our Nikes and the like. Our job as Americans is to crowd in front of the trough and feed, feed, feed. So goes the machine....

[Gotcha54]

Are you saying then that is has no direct impact upon the American worker. Could the economic realitys be such that it's a prime reason people enlist in the military. Are those that listed in the military counted as "workers"?

Just because Nike gets their sneakers made in Thrid World Countries - does Nike pass off the "savings" (of the slave labor of children) to the consumer by cutting the cost of the shoes - or do they increase their stock prices of which the managers have many options to purchase?

[rf-hawaii]

Unions increase everyone's wages.

They're not perfect. But the last couple decades have shown us how much the middle class suffers when unions are not supported.

[dadw5boys]

Why not join a Union ?

Businesses have Organizations where they set wages and prices.

Doctors even have Unions!!!!!!!!

Even countrys have organizations to screw the poor.

OPEC !!!!!!!!!

[turk96]

Exactly. Ask your boss if he ever does a deal without a contract. But these union haters/enviers expect us all to work as "at will employees" who can be fired if the boss has a bad day and doesn't like the way you look.

Those of you who deliberately put the security and well-being of your families at the mercy of corporations are irresponsible at best and outright cowards at worst. You owe your family better. If only you had the guts to stand up for yourself and your rights.

[artisthawk]

Thank you

[DosGatos2]

I would join a union in heartbeat if given a chance!

It's about changing the power dynamic. Workers have no power as individuals and greed at the top knows no bounds. Unions help level that playing field.

The middle class works longer and harder for less and less, while management continues to line its pockets. No one needs to earn 400+ times what their average worker makes. No one. Those are dollars which could be used to fund pensions and retiree health programs.

Unless unions are allowed to level the playing field so that workers get what they need from their employers to ensure a comfortable and dignified retirement, YOU will be footing the bill for all the old and destitute baby boomers whose portfolios have been demolished and whose home equity has disappeared.

[mrskorn]

Don't forget that unions charge dues...and you don't always have a say in what they spend your money on. I was quite appalled at my union's spending on MULTIPLE glossy paper endorsements, sent to my home and to my school telling me who to vote for. Guess who?

My union also doesn't always do such a great job of representing our needs, but they sure take my money. They have to pay their employees.

[dignityandhonor]

Then don't be a part of the union. You are not obliged to be a member of the NEA or AFT. Just make sure you don't take advantage of the latest contract and you directly bargain with the board for your pay and benefits. And if you are more "seasoned" teacher, you won't mind when a younger teacher comes in to take your job (at half price) and no one lifts a finger other than to help you pack.
Finally, what if your union was all atwitter about McCain in its mailings? Would you have thought that a good use of your dues?

[Mnemanth]

Unions have become the thugs they purport to protect the working class from.
"You wanna job? You pay your dues! You wanna job in this town? You pay your dues!"
So, where's the money go? To a small few who, with their big smiles, and empathetic nods, claim to be going to Washington to fight the good fight! But nothing changes, they just come back every once in awhile demanding their next round of dues.
Make no mistake: Unions, government parties, any organization that depends on the funds of those who are actually working are doing one thing and one thing only- capitalizing on that money, while doing no real work of their own.

[Gotcha54]

How do you explain what has happened to the gap between the rich and the poor going from like $25 to every $1 to like over $400 to $1? This is shameful of at least 2 decades of corporations who have had govt support in eliminating unions.

What about the mine workers that are going below the ground without Unions demanding safety mechanisms in place? Is this the way we are suppose to treat our fellow man? Make a working wage so rare that miners have to make a life decision to support their family as the mining companies just accept a disaster as the cost of doing business and move on to another small town.

Now I personally wouldn't do a miner's job even if it were a Union paying job. But to risk life and limb in a workplace doesn't it seem just the right place for a Union to be watching the risk to workers?

[mrskorn]

Don't we have a governmental office called OSHA?! That is what they are getting paid for.

[artisthawk]

My husband belonged to a trade union for 35 years. He worked very hard giving the company their money's worth. He ended up superintendent, but still kept his union card and supported the union, as many did. This was during the time when 25% of working people were union members and everybody did well, including companies. After Reagan got in it went to pot. Check your history. the whole thing is to diminish the middle class. You have to work at a middle class. it is not a natural occurrance in society. Diminish the middle class and you will be living in a third world society with two classes, one running it (ogliarchy) and the peons.

[seal62]

Paron me?
Yes i pay dues..I'm a journey man steam fitter outta the D.I get a statement telling me where every penny goes.I pay alot of dues,,210$ a year to the United Association..46.40 a week to my local union office when im employed,money well served.Whats the cost of your health care?The bennies keep comming,,,2 retirement plans...one a 401, one old school.What about when your out of work?I myself am very proud of my union...been really ticked off at my brothers for a bit over the last 20.Ya season as ya get older and a lot smarter{get a crane ...i'm not picking it up}..big pipe is heavy.I am gratefull to be a 22 yr member of {i didnt count my yr on probation} local 636 pipefitters Detroit..Ask me what i did today.

[nofriendofrepublicans]

Let me get this straight. The unions don't do anything but collect dues. Who forced the 5 day work week, 40 hour work week, over time pay, payed vacation, benefits? You think the corporations just handed that to us? They were won by collective bargaining. If it was up to people like you we'd all be working for walmart. I belong to a union in a "right to work "state. ( which basically means a right to work for minimum wage). People who do comparable work to what I do at a non union shop make half as much money & are treated like dogs. There is way too much anti union propaganda going around just look at the top of this column. www.workforcefairness.com. What do you think that is?

[kennethjkranz]

economies are built on savings and production. wages are saved so they can be borrowed. The decline of unions correlates directly with the declining savings rate. and if we still had it we wouldnt have a credit crisis.

during the reagan era we were "individuals" with "individual responsibility". all the while corporate america was merging, forming lobbies and heading to DC like sailors on shore leave!

and this is the govt we got. broke, bailng out poorly run businesse that are leveraged to the teeth.

scrap it and start over and this time remember that income inequality matters. labor matters. dignity matters. and we cant all work at walmart!

[DuganS1]

The decline in the savings rate is correlated with the drop in interest rates and increase in asset prices. Any correlation to the decline of union membership is purely by chance. Didn't union membership peak in the 1950s? Any increase in union activity from now on will reduce in slow productivity growth, higher unemployment, higher inflation, and more jobs moving over-seas.

[sticksnstones]

You really have no idea how wonderfully irrelevant your failed top-down philosophy has become to the direction this administration is inching toward, do you ? And we're just two weeks outa the gate !!

[PinkysBrain]

My wife is a 2nd year teacher in PA. She works in an Early Intervention classroom teaching kids with developmental disabilities. She works incredibly hard, putting lots of extra time in at home. It really frustrates me that, no matter what, she is going to be paid the same as all the other 2nd year teachers. It doesn't matter whether she gets great reviews (she does) or just scrapes by with minimum effort. Doesn't that seem wrong? Shouldn't we be encouraging the good teachers by rewarding them with increased pay? Just some thoughts from a nouveau poster.

[mikekopac]

what does she make? What will she make in 10 years thanks to the teachers union. Go check out what they pay non union teachers down South and thank God each day she has union.

[PinkysBrain]

About 35k less than the 30 yr. veteran teacher she replaced. Oh yeah, the one that let the kids just play all day long. She had tenure, so there was nothing anyone could do.

[rf-hawaii]

A union should be able to foster excellence.

[mrskorn]

As a teacher, I have no problem with merit pay...but how do you compare all classrooms as being equal? Between the kids, the parents and the school environment, there are too many factors that can be so unequal...how can you expect the same progress in all classes?

[KQuarksSuperKollider]

The GOP has done a great job of demonizing the principles and institutions that had made America great like liberty, labor and the free press.

When these ideals and institutions were alive and well we prospered as a nation, but when they are on life support like they are now the nation is weak, especially the middle class and those just hanging on to dear life.

We have seen a huge shift in the tax burden from corporations and the rich to the working people because as long as the GOP keeps us distracted on wedge issues they create and win elections. The more they tilt the scales in favor of business and the rich the longer the people suffer.

[norgotoad]

Ok. A little real numbers here. The ol' official number that defines a recession: the GDP. "Reagan inherited a recession" is a bold faced lie. The GDP grew at approx. 1.8 % prior to his election (for those who dropped out of Econ 101 in junior college, a recession is NEGATIVE GDP for two CONSECUTIVE quarters-- not a POSITIVE GDP). The net average change for the Carter Admin was +.8 %; Saint Ronald's was +.83. Nearly identical. The best years for Net Positive Average GDP (NPAG) was Kennedy/Johnson with a delta of +1.26 NPAG-- so much for those "evil" liberals. Bush's daddy was one of the worst with +.57, and an average of +.7 for the entire "golden age" of Reagan/Bush and their union bustin', gun totin', credit runnin', "trickle-downin' " presidency. Pretty pathetic considering. Clinton posted a NPAG of +.9. W had +.58 (close to his daddy's number of +.57: like father like son I suppose). Ike had +.68. Truman had +1.01. GDP data are official from US Bureau of Econ. Analysis. So regarding the economy, the Repubs generally sucked (Reagan gets "sainthood" for equaling a Dem!). I really don't think that following a pack a fools into a ditch is the best way to drive a car... or an economy. Guess I'm just not a Re- DUMB-lican.

[DuganS1]

There was a double dip recession in the early 80s, part under Carter and part under Reagan. The recession occurred because the Fed Reserve Board chairman dramatically increased interest rates to beat back inflation. It had nothing to do with so-called Reagan policies of "trickle down" or "union busting." Reagan BTW was supported by the Teamsters Unions because he wanted to slow down Carters plans for Trucking deregulation.

[turk96]

For all of you "unions aren't needed anymore" people, are you insane? Over the last eight years, while union membership waned, your CEO's pay doubled. The middle class wage flatlined and stagnated. As union membership goes down, disparity of wealth skyrockets. But, I guess you're more concerned with a few multi-millionaires/billionaires getting one more yacht than you are with a blue collar worker making a living wage and having health care and retirement security for their families. A CEO already makes over 400 times what his average employee makes. It's imperative that we make sure these people get more and we get less, right?

How anyone would trust their economic futures of themselves and their families to the hope of a giant corporation's generosity and morality, I say: Good luck. That company will pay you the minimum it can get away with and steal every single benefit, perk and safety measure it can given half a chance. You hate unions and the protections and benefits they provide so much, go move to a third world country and enter the work system.

[Gotcha54]

Amen! It seems the message the Repubs are putting out is that the only reason the Union is attempting to gain strength is so they can make more money on charging dues! When did we hand the sole decider of who gets to collect money and for what purpose to the Republican party?

Just think of the bank bailouts and then what the auto companies had to do just to get a LOAN and only a very small percentage of what the banks got for ...................... Who knows? Do they really think that people believe that the Rep Party are the ones looking out for us? That's the slop they're selling!

[MarionWatts]

I grew up in the US during the Sixties and Seventies. My father and all my uncles were active members of a trade union and I was raised to believe that the unions were a worker's sure means of representation. When I began teaching school in the late Seventies, I witnessed the first strikes by nurses and teachers for higher pay.

I then moved to the UK when I married in 1981 and I witnessed the wholesale destruction of the unions by Maggie Thatcher, culminating with the downfall of the Miners' Union. Thatcher emasculated the unions in the UK and employers treated workers with nothing short of contempt. Whatever unions were left were shadows of their former selves. There arose in these past 20-odd years a culture of greed and selfishness. Now, it appears, in the UK, workers are having wildcat strikes due to an influx of cheap foreign labour taking jobs from British workers. Had the unions been active, maybe we wouldn't have seen this.

As for the US, I'm happy that Obama is encouraging union development. Happy and secure workers are productive workers.

[rcrussell]

GO UNIONS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!