The Public Record
Bernie Sanders is an American politician and activist who has served as the junior United States senator from Vermont since 2007. A member of the Independent party, Sanders is known for his progressive policies and advocacy for social justice, healthcare reform, and income equality. He previously served in the U.S. House of Representatives from 1991 to 2007, where he was the first independent elected to the House in 40 years. Throughout his career, Sanders has been a vocal critic of economic inequality and corporate influence in politics.
I would like to especially acknowledge Chairman Sanders' role in helping pass this legislation, along with many other Members of this Committee, including Dr. Cassidy who worked to extend the program that saved our jobs and our industry.
When you go to work at UPS as a Teamster, you get the highest wages in the industry, you get a pension, you get real protections on the job, and you get a fully paid health care plan that's better than the one I have as General President…
It's simple. As a country, we can choose to collectively encourage the growth of good union jobs that pay family sustaining wages and allow those good jobs to set the standard for competition within an industry or we can continue to allow…
Teamsters changed the game at UPS, battling it out day and night to make sure our members won an agreement that pays strong wages, rewards their labor, and doesn't require a single concession.
This policy, including the PRO Act, would take away the ability of 27 million workers to choose how to earn a living.
But if the benefits of joining a union are so good, and I am sure that is the testimony we will hear today, then there is no reason union should have to coerce or strong arm people to join.
If that is true, then they don't need the PRO Act to eliminate secret ballot union elections, which could expose workers to retaliation and intimidation.
It is absolutely essential that we pass legislation like the PRO Act, to make it easier for workers to organize.
We have more income and wealth inequality than any time since the Gilded Age.
How do we create an economy that works for all of us, all of our people, and not just the few?
Three people have more wealth than the bottom half of American society, 165 million Americans today.
Over $50 trillion in wealth has gone from the bottom 90 percent to the top 1 percent.
Congress must pass S. 567, the Richard L. Trumka Protecting the Right to Organize (PRO) Act of 2023.
There is no sign that the Majority Leader will bring it to the Senate floor, and it doesn't even have unanimous support from Democrats.
It is absolutely essential that we pass legislation like the PRO Act, to make it easier for workers to organize.
The right to form a union and collectively bargain is federally guaranteed, and ensuring its protection is of the utmost importance.
Look, what we are dealing with today, and Senator Lujan made this point and others have made the point, is some people have extraordinary wealth and extraordinary power.
I would like to especially acknowledge Chairman Sanders' role in helping pass this legislation, along with many other Members of this Committee, including Dr. Cassidy who worked to extend the program that saved our jobs and our industry.
When you go to work at UPS as a Teamster, you get the highest wages in the industry, you get a pension, you get real protections on the job, and you get a fully paid health care plan that's better than the one I have as General President…
We have more income and wealth inequality than any time since the Gilded Age.
The title of our hearing this morning is, Standing Up Against Corporate Greed, How Unions Are Improving the Lives of Working Families.
It is essential, that right to organize is essential to building an economy that works for all Americans.
I had seen and felt the harm of crisis and bankruptcy before. When COVID hit our union was not about to sit back and allow it to destroy lives again.
Politicians like Bernie Sanders
