Turning Up the Heat for the Right to Organize

Despite sweltering heat – indexes topped 100 degrees – thousands of union activists and supporters gathered at the U.S. Capitol Tuesday afternoon to demand swift passage of the Employee Free Choice Act (EFCA). With AFL-CIO and Change To Win signs intermingling, the labor movement united behind the push for legislation that would “Legalize Organizing” and “Rebuild America’s Middle Class With Unions.” As the midday sun drove some demonstrators beneath wilting trees, thousands more cheered loudly as Senator after Senator affirmed their support. “Unions are essential to this country’s success,” declared Hillary Clinton (D, NY). “It’s hot out here but we need to turn up the heat to pass the Employee Free Choice Act!” Calling for card check, Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid promised a vote soon on EFCA, a pledge echoed strongly by Sen. Edward Kennedy (D-MA), who introduced the bill this morning, along with 46 co-sponsors. “There’s a war going on in this country,” said Bernie Sanders (I, VT), “Not just in Iraq and Afghanistan, but against the middle class in this country, and the wrong side is winning!” After years of hard work and political action, the Employee Free Choice Act (S. 1041) is poised to pass in Congress, reports James Parks on the AFL-CIO Now blog.
- Reported by Chris Garlock; photos by Andy Richards