Doris Matsui: “I am truly proud to see the Employee Free Choice Act on the floor of the House. This represents a tremendous step…”

“I am truly proud to see the Employee Free Choice Act on the floor of the House. This represents a tremendous step forward for working families in this country. I want to thank Chairman Miller for crafting this excellent legislation and for his tireless efforts on behalf of workers. A little less than a year ago, Chairman Miller and I held a forum on this legislation in my hometown of Sacramento. We heard emotional testimony from workers about their experiences in the workplace. They had been subjected to coercion and intimidation--and some had even been fired--simply because of their desire to join a union. After sharing encounter after encounter, they asked Congress to pass the Employee Free Choice Act. They know that this legislation would protect them from these abuses. It would repair the cracks in the current system. And it would allow them to make a real choice in deciding to join a union. It is one thing to talk in the abstract about the policy. It is quite another to see first hand the human face, the real life consequences of that policy. What we are talking about is helping working Americans-- the middle class--meet the needs of their families. Congress must take advantage of this chance to act. A strong middle class has been the bedrock of expanded prosperity and opportunity in this country. And our middle class families are at a critical juncture. They face some daunting challenges. Wages are not keeping up with inflation.”