Bruce F. Vento: “A strong labor movement helps all Americans. It is our job as elected leaders to ensure that national and state laws…”

“A strong labor movement helps all Americans. It is our job as elected leaders to ensure that national and state laws allow our constituents to enjoy the fundamental values of democracy, freedom of speech and freedom of assembly. That includes under the law and custom the long-honored right of workers to have a voice in wages and working conditions under which they labor. When workers are denied that voice, they no longer share in the wealth that they create. Health workers cannot afford to be treated at the clinics and hospitals at which they labor and autoworkers cannot afford to buy and drive the cars they make. Congress needs to show support beyond voting positively upon labor issues. We can use our leverage and our role to help ensure that the rights and interests of American workers, the labor force, are advanced, that working families are accorded dignity and respect that indeed they deserve. Moreover, we have the obligation to make sure that employers' policies and laws that shape this relationship are just and workable. Workers have a right to fully participate in the political arena. However, today, the political voice of labor and working families face the prospect of being silenced. Mr. Speaker, I hope today we will listen to the voice of workers, as today they are speaking up for the rights they need and merit to participate in the free enterprise economy and gain a just reward for their labors.”