Why Retirees Should Care About the Employee Free Choice Act

From the Alliance for Retired Americans:

As he hands the baton to Barbara Easterling, George Kourpias has a message for members regarding the Employee Free Choice Act. “There is no doubt in my mind that the fate of workers and retirees is undeniably linked. We cannot have a solid, stable retirement unless we have a solid, stable middle class,” said Mr. Kourpias. By standing together, union workers fought for and won better wages, health care and pensions, and safety and respect on the job. However, Mr. Kourpias is concerned that a great deal of what unions have achieved is crumbling in today’s troubled economy. According to the National Labor Relations Board, in 2007 nearly 30,000 workers faced illegal employer retaliation for trying to join a union – that is five times as many as in 1967. “Workers and retirees must fight together to pass the Employee Free Choice Act so we can finally crack down on companies that break the law and try to block a worker’s freedom to join a union,” Mr. Kourpias declared. He advises seniors to talk to their children and grandchildren; polls have shown that younger workers may not be as aware of the benefits of collective bargaining. Seniors are also urged to call their elected officials in Washington.