THERE IS POWER IN A UNION
Progressive Friends -
STAND WITH VERMONT WORKERS EXERCISING THEIR RIGHT TO ORGANIZE.
SUPPORT THE VERMONT “PRO” ACT IN THE LEGISLATURE NOW.
A few weeks ago more than 2,000 support staff at the University of Vermont Medical Center voted to unionize. A huge win for workers in our state. Now we have the opportunity to keep the momentum going and help more workers win real power in the workplace.
Back in the 1950s, 35% of American workers were in a union, with the power to collectively bargain over wages, benefits, and working conditions. The middle class was strong. Then, President Ronald Reagan declared war on workers, leading to a massive decline in unionization, and a massive rise in income inequality.
Today, 11.3% of workers are members of a union, and the wealthiest 1% control more than 30% of the wealth in our country. Worker productivity is up, but real wages are down.
But, workers are fighting back and winning. Across the country workers, including more and more retail workers, at places like Starbucks, Amazon, and Walmart are standing up to corporate giants.
In Vermont, union density has risen from 10.4% to 13.4% since 2000, even while union membership was shrinking nationally.
Thanks to workers reclaiming their right to organize, Vermont Nurses, Homecare Workers, Community College Faculty, Hospital Support Staff and Starbucks workers are among those who have voted to unionize in recent years demanding fair wages, benefits, and working conditions.
But we must do more, and the Legislature must help.
The “PRO” Act, in the legislature makes it easier to form a union, and do it without fear and intimidation. It would also grant farm workers the right to organize, a big step forward for our agricultural state.
Led by Progressive Representative Emma Mulvaney Stanak in the House, H-219 has 25 sponsors. The Senate bill, S-102 with lead sponsor Kesha Ram Hinsdale has 13 sponsors, close to a Senate majority. The momentum is on the workers' side.
Lt. Governor David Zuckerman just sent out a message of support on the PRO ACT saying that:
“Passing the Vermont PRO Act is an important step in ensuring all Vermonters have the ability to form a union without pressured interference.”
You can read David Zuckerman's full statement on Child Care and the PRO ACT here.
Please take action to support the PRO ACT today by signing the Vermont AFL-CIO petition today
You can take further action by joining us at the Vermont State House for a visit to learn more about this and other important issues. Our next two State House Visits are coming up on Tuesday, March 29th and Tuesday, April 25th. You can sign up for the visit here.
Thank you for all you do to support labor rights in Vermont. Together we will pass the PRO ACT and continue to support worker organizing in our state.
In solidarity,
Josh Wronski
Director, Vermont Progressive Party
