CWA Thanks Members of Congress Who Stood with Workers

CWA to Launch Accountability Program for Those Who Caved

WASHINGTON D.C. -- Today in a full page ad in Politico, the Communications Workers of America salute the members of Congress who stood up for the rights of workers, against Delta Air Lines, Republican leadership and other special interests.

Although the long-term Federal Aviation Administration Reauthorization bill, which has been a priority for CWA, passed with provisions included that amount to a vicious attack on workers' rights, 157 House members and 15 Senators stood with workers and said no.

The ad lists all of the Democrats who supported workers. The text of the ad reads:

Organizing and bargaining rights in our nation are already at the bottom of global democracies. This week, in approving the Federal Aviation Administration Reauthorization, the House and Senate majorities caved in to the ideological agenda of Delta Air Lines and the 1 percent and voted to destroy workers’ rights in the transportation sector.

It’s not democracy when the election process, virtually controlled by management, can’t even begin until a majority of workers support a union. In every other democracy those workers would have their union.

It’s not democracy when elections among transportation workers are held to a voting standard that no member of Congress could meet. Last year, a majority vote standard, just like we have in every other election in this country, was put in place by the rule-making agency. Amazingly, that rule wasn’t included in this legislation.

This should have been a jobs bill, not the opportunity for an ideological assault by the 1 percent. Workers shouldn’t have to choose between jobs and their rights on the job

The assault on workers’ rights that began in Madison is continuing, paid for by the 1 percent. The 99 percent will fight back! And we will remember those champions who stood with us this week.

The FAA legislation creates new roadblocks for employees seeking union representation, takes away secret ballot rights, increases the threshold needed to call for a union election, makes collective bargaining more difficult, and limits the safeguards provided by the National Mediation Board (NMB). It also sets a dangerous precedent for those who prefer to hold critical transportation jobs and projects hostage rather than allow democracy on the job.

The bill passed despite strong opposition by organized labor. Eighteen international unions, representing over 10 million members, signed a letter calling for passage of a clean FAA Reauthorization bill and the United Steelworkers, Service Employees International Union, United Automobile, Aerospace and Agricultural Implement Workers of America (UAW) and National Education Association sent individual letters of opposition to Congress.

CWA members have been engaged for over a year in the fight for the passage of a clean FAA bill, Now that the legislation has passed, CWA members and allies are reaching out to their members of Congress to thank them, or to express their displeasure at their vote. Over the next week CWA members will make sure their voices are heard by visiting district offices, sending letters and making phone calls to their members of Congress.

November is coming and working Americans will remember those who were champions for their rights.

• See New CWA Ad to Members Regarding FAA Vote: http://www.cwa-union.org/pages/faa_reauthorization_champions

Contact: Chuck Porcari 202-434-1168