Talking Points on Unions and the Employee Free Choice Act

Our religious traditions affirm the right of workers to freely organize themselves into unions. Our traditions address the need for freedom in the workplace, basic human dignity, and a voice at work. All workers have the right to form a union without fear and harassment, and they have the right to reject unionization. The decision to unionize belongs solely with the workers, not with management.

Unions help workers and their families achieve dignity and equity. They provide many advantages, especially for workers in low-wage jobs: higher wages, more job security, benefits like health insurance, safe working conditions, and - through a voice at the workplace - dignity and respect. Unions reduce poverty for workers in low-wage jobs.

Workers want unions. A majority of non-union workers say they would join a union if they could.

Current labor law is inadequate to ensure workers a free and fair process if they want a union. Most National Labor Relations Board elections are characterized by employer-run anti-union campaigns that are intimidating and undemocratic. Workers face employers who use pressure tactics to discourage union organizing, and who employ both legal and illegal tactics that indefinitely delay negotiating contracts after workers choose to unionize.

The Employee Free Choice Act will allow workers a free choice over whether or not to form a union. It will address the lack of legal protections and law enforcement for workers who wish to unionize. It will give workers a fair and direct path to form unions through majority sign-up. It will also help employees secure their first contract in a reasonable period of time, and toughen penalties against employers that violate U.S. labor laws.

The Employee Free Choice Act will help workers everywhere. Historically, U.S. labor unions and faith organizations helped Americans win Social Security, child labor laws, the minimum wage, occupational health and safety laws, the Family and Medical Leave Act, Medicare and Medicaid, and many other fundamental advances of human rights. When workers can freely choose to unionize, we all collectively will have more power to raise living standards, improve health care, and halt outsourcing. We'll build a stronger society as a whole. We'll restore the middle class.

Many religious denominations have made statements explicitly supporting workers' right to form unions and bargain collectively, as part of their concept of a commitment to justice for all. These traditions and bodies include:

National Conference of Catholic Bishops
Central Conference of American Rabbis
The Union for Reform Judaism
American Baptist Churches
African Methodist Episcopal Zion Church
Christian Methodist Episcopal Church (CME)
Christian Church (Disciples of Christ)
The Episcopal Church
Evangelical Lutheran Church in America
Presbyterian Church (USA)
United Church of Christ
United Methodist Church
Unitarian Universalist Association

Facts and Figures

Unions make a difference! Unions provide

Living wages: Union workers make 30% more than non union workers in the same job.
Comprehensive benefits: Union members are 63% more likely to have health insurance.
Job security. Contracts bolster job security.
Fairness in the workplace: Contracts provide grievance procedures and establish guidelines for firings and discipline.
A voice in the workplace.

Most employers launch assaults on union organizing drives, including harassment, intimidation and illegal firings and other retaliation.

80% of employers hire expensive, outside consultants to wage an anti-union campaign.
90% of employers require employees to attend closed-door, one-on-one meetings with their supervisor when they are told why unions are bad and why they should vote against it.
50% of employers illegally coerce union opposition through bribes and favors.
25% of employers illegally fire pro-union employees.
49% of employers threaten to eliminate all workers' jobs if they form a union.
One-third of employers never negotiate a contract when workers vote to form a union.