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The
hard-earned rights of workers, some of the most important stakeholders
in their organizations, are often overlooked by both private,
semi-public and public employers. Workers lack meaningful
representation and an opportunity to participate in the
decision-making process which directly affects their rights. For
example, despite years of efforts, transportation workers still have
no representation on the board of Massport, a public institution.
This directly impacts not only the workers’ pay and benefits, but
health and safety on the job, as well. The average age of death for
airline workers is 67.
Workplace safety is a critical issue
addressed by the union movement. I have spent years representing and
advocating on behalf of workers injured on the job. I am the
candidate who has been in the trenches every day picking up the broken
pieces and fighting for due process rights of our union brothers and
sisters when they get hurt at work.
Everyone
pays the price when workers’ rights are violated. Extensive research
has shown that unions are associated with higher productivity,
improved workplace safety and communications, lower employer turnover,
and a better-trained workforce. Government protection of basic
workplace rights leads to higher wages and benefits for all workers,
union and non-union. Communities benefit from improved standards of
living, better schools, safety and social services.
As your state Senator, I will champion
health care and safety in the workplace and work toward fair labor
standards. I will support majority authorization and privacy
protection measures that enable workers make a free and fair decision
on whether to form a union without intimidation from employers. And I
will work hard to create union jobs by supporting Project Labor
Agreements, because the economy should work for the people, not the
other way around. I fundamentally believe in the constitutional right
to free association and peaceful demonstration and I will put this
commitment to work for you. |
