Charles Wilson: “today the administration says that our economy is moving. And in my section of eastern Ohio, it is moving, it is moving…”

“today the administration says that our economy is moving. And in my section of eastern Ohio, it is moving, it is moving overseas. The middle class of our country is being left behind. It is time for some much needed fairness and relief to what is going on in our labor movement. Madam Chair, the Employee Free Choice Act is a step in the right direction. The facts speak for themselves: Workers who belong to unions earn an average of 30 percent more than ones who do not belong. Union workers are also much more likely to have health care and pension benefits and a better opportunity in life. As our middle class continues to feel the squeeze, it is time that we give workers a fair chance for representation and the benefits they deserve. Right now that isn't happening. The current system is broken. Workers are often denied the right that they need to form a union. Those who take part in legal organizing activities are often punished. Some even lose their jobs. The Employee Free Choice Act also cuts through the red tape and delays. Finally, Madam Chairman, the Employee Free Choice Act puts into place another important common sense measure. It provides workers with union representation when a majority of those workers have signed up for union representation. This option doesn't eliminate the existing 'secret ballot' election process. It just gives workers another choice in how to select a union. Madam Chairman, our middle class is hurting.”