Union Membership Rate Unchanged in 2011
In a statement released today, Secretary of Labor Hilda L. Solis said, “Ensuring that all people have a voice at work and protecting their right to organize and bargain collectively are essential for an America that’s built to last, where everyone gets a fair shot, everyone pays his or her fair share and everyone plays by the same rules.”
Her remarks were in response to today’s release of a Bureau of Labor Statistics report on union members in 2011.
The Bureau of Labor Statistics announced that, in 2011, the unionization rate of employed wage and salary workers was 11.8 percent, essentially unchanged from 11.9 percent in 2010. Among private sector employees, the rate remained at 6.9 percent.
The data also show that among full-time wage and salary workers, the median weekly earnings of union members were $938, compared to $729 for nonunion workers. Union women earned median weekly earnings of $879, an amount 34.6 percent higher than their nonunion counterparts, who earned just $653 by comparison.
“Prior reporting shows that union members have greater access to health care, retirement and leave benefits,” said Secretary Solis. “Today’s numbers make it clear that union jobs are critical to a strong economy. And a strong economy depends on a strong and growing middle class.”
California has the largest number of union members (2.4 million), followed by New York (1.9 million). Over half of the 14.8 million union members in the U.S. lived in just seven states (California, New York, Illinois, 0.9 million; Pennsylvania, 0.8 million; Michigan 0.7 million; and New Jersey and Ohio, 0.6 million each), though these states accounted for only about one-third of wage and salary employment nationally.
The report with statistical tables is available on the Bureau’s Web site.
Leaders are judged not just by what they say but to whom they listen. President Obama’s speech tonight shows that he has listened to the single mom working two jobs to get by, to the out-of-work construction worker, to the retired factory worker, to the student serving coffee to help pay for college.
By laying out a vision of an America that can create jobs and prosperity for all instead of wealth for the few, the President voiced the aspirations and concerns of those who are too often ignored.
And tonight he made clear that the era of the 1% getting rich by looting the economy, rather than creating jobs, is over—what a contrast to the vision presented by presidential candidates squabbling over how much further to cut the taxes of the 1%.
Recognizing the need for accountability the President powerfully insisted on a more humble Wall Street subject to a thorough investigation of the misconduct in the mortgage markets that wrecked our economy by the full range of federal and state civil and criminal authorities. We applaud the creation of a new mortgage crisis unit to be co-chaired by New York’s Attorney General, Eric Schneiderman.
President Obama spoke to the confidence of working people that if we are determined and committed, we can revitalize “Made in the USA.” That commitment to American manufacturing, made possible in part by enhanced enforcement of trade laws being violated by too many of our trade partners. Trade on a fair playing field is welcome news to the too many productive, hard working Americans sitting idle unnecessarily.
The President also gave hope to our nation’s young people with his words of support for DREAM students, immigrants brought to this country by their parents and committed to the quintessentially American vision of hard work at school or in military service.
Now it’s time for Congress to stop standing in the way of rebuilding our country and act. For too long, Congress has stood in the way of economic recovery—now, we need Congress to act swiftly and on the massive scale our crisis of joblessness demands.
The clarity of the contrast between the record and rhetoric of President Obama and Indiana’s Governor Mitch Daniels, who is giving the GOP response tonight, represents all too well the sad decline of the national Republican party. Daniels flip-flop into supporting “right to work for less” is a prime example of a party increasingly fixated with accommodating the voices of CEOs instead of every day Americans.
Statement by California Labor Federation Executive Secretary-Treasurer Art Pulaski
“Gov. Jerry Brown put forth a vision for California today that working people can embrace. With today’s speech, it’s clear that the destructive slash-and-burn politics of the previous administration have been replaced with a forward-thinking vision to invest in our future. While our state’s 21st century challenges are many, the California Labor movement is confident we have a leader at the helm to guide us beyond those challenges.
“Gov. Brown understands all too well that we can’t create jobs with stale ideas and cuts to investments that support healthy private sector growth. The Governor’s plan to upgrade our failing infrastructure isn’t optional if we hope to rise above the recession. It’s necessary to rebuilding our economy and putting Californians back to work. We simply can’t sustain a vibrant economy if we don’t invest in the infrastructure that supports it.
“We fully support the Governor’s call to begin building a high-speed rail system that will transform our state and restore our place as a world leader in innovation. We also applaud his continued efforts to green our economy, protecting the air we breathe and water we drink while creating thousands of good clean energy jobs.
“We share the Governor’s goal of raising the necessary revenue to support investing in our people and our state’s future. Budget cuts in recent years to our schools, colleges, public safety and other services have mired California in recession. Further slashing our safety net and important services that make our communities stronger and safer is a recipe for disaster. Additionally, irresponsible cuts to the retirement security of middle-class workers like teachers, firefighters and other public servants will only deepen our state’s economic slide.
“As with any grand vision, the Governor’s plan will be met with criticism by those who refuse to see California’s potential beyond the immediate challenges. But with today’s speech, the Governor made clear that now isn’t the time for weak leadership that shrinks from those challenges. It’s time for bold vision that creates jobs, strengthens communities and renews the California Dream.”
Statement by California Labor Federation Executive Secretary-Treasurer Art Pulaski
“The governor’s budget underscores the critical need for additional revenue to stave off catastrophic cuts to education and other essential services.
“If we’ve learned anything over the past few years, it’s that a cuts-only approach to the budget crisis just sinks California families deeper into economic quicksand. We can’t expect different results by taking the same approach. It’s time to start investing in California again. Investments in schools, jobs, safety and other services offer the only hope we have of moving beyond perpetual budget crises. To make those investments, we must raise the necessary revenue.
“The California labor movement is committed to helping our state move forward. We look forward to working with the governor and legislature to put California back on a path to prosperity.”
Summary of the Governor’s 2012-13 proposed budget.
Exposing the Corporate Power Grab
Reprinted from the CA Labor Federation.
Wealthy corporate interests are once again coming after union families in an effort to silence our voice and clear the field of any opposition to their agenda. This latest attack comes in the form of a ballot initiative that corporate backers say is about special interests, but in fact is designed to strip middle class workers from having a voice in politics. This initiative has qualified to appear on the November 2012 general election ballot.
Proponents of the initiative claim it would reign in campaign contributions by both unions and corporations, but in fact, the deceptive wording of the initiative specifically targets union members, while a big loophole leaves corporate campaign contributions essentially unscathed and unchecked.
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The North Valley Labor Federation (NVLF), labor’s voice in the valley, has voted to endorse Xochitl Paderes for election to the 13th Assembly District. This means that Xochitl Paderes is the labor candidate. Whatever else you may hear, labor’s candidate is Xochitl Paderes.
The NVLF Executive Board reviewed questionnaires from both candidates, then interviewed both candidates, After carefully considering the qualifications and records of both candidates the board concluded that Paderes would be stronger candidate on issues important to labor and working families. Paderes received the endorsement over Susan Eggman.
Labor is proud to endorse Xochitl Paderes, a person of integrity who will work hard to represent everyone in the 13th Assembly District. Paderes will ensure that working families, public employees, college students and the business community are all fairly represented and equally respected.
Statement by California Labor Federation Executive Secretary-Treasurer Art Pulaski
“Today’s Peer Review Panel report on the California high-speed rail project misses the mark. With California facing a jobs crisis and an urgency to upgrade our failing transportation infrastructure, further delay in breaking ground on high-speed rail is neither prudent nor responsible.
“Any project that’s the size and scope of high-speed rail is bound to encounter difficulties along the way. But rather than working to implement the vision of high-speed rail, the panel suggests derailing the project at a critical stage, which would put billions in federal funding at risk. That’s not a viable solution for California.
“Under new leadership, the California High-Speed Rail Authority is headed in the right direction. The Authority’s business plan addresses the myriad issues facing high-speed rail in a thoughtful and thorough way. The plan offers a roadmap to realizing what is the most important and visionary public works project in decades.
“In the short term, the project will create thousands of desperately needed jobs to help lift our state out of economic morass. In the long term, high-speed rail will deliver a world-class, environmentally friendly transportation system that will transform our state. Now is not the time to back away from the high-speed rail vision. An investment in high-speed rail is an investment in our state’s future. The Legislature must grant voter-approved bonds so that work can begin on the project this year.”
The things we do on a daily basis can make a difference in our lives and in the lives of those around us. One easy way you can make a difference and help save the middle class is by shopping at union grocery stores.
This article from the Modesto Bee points out the very real threat posed by non-union stores to middle class workers.
When you do your grocery shopping, just look for the union label. Grocery stores represented by UFCW 8 Golden State will have a sticker at the entrances, and workers with a smile on their face.
On Saturday U.S. Marine Veteran Xochitl Paderes announced from the steps of Stockton City Hall that she is running for the 13th Assembly District which encompasses the west half of San Joaquin County, taking in Stockton, Tracy and Mountain House. District voters are 47.7 percent Democratic and 34.1 percent Republican, according party registration figures from 2010. Later in the day she repeated the announcement at the Tracy Transit Station.
Before making her formal announcement, Paderes won the endorsement of the North Valley Labor Federation’s Executive Board. The Board met Thursday evening, two days before the announcement, to interview Paderes and the other candidate in the race, Stockton City Councilwoman Susan Eggman. After carefully considering the qualifications and records of both candidates the board voted to endorse Paderes. Endorsements in other races were made as well, and all endorsements will be posted soon.
Paderes is well known in Stockton for her community involvement, including service on the Cultural Heritage Board and with Karl Ross American Legion Post 16. She works as a network engineer for the California Department of Fish and Game. She grew up in Tracy and lives in Stockton with her husband, Vincent Paderes, and her children.
In the photo below, Paderes stands with just a few of the her supporters on the steps of Stockton City Hall.
Photos © 2011, Randy Bayne.
The Department of Labor’s proposed rule is a long-overdue matter of basic justice for the hundreds of thousands of workers who do the vital work of providing at-home care for our nation’s elderly and disabled citizens. Every person deserves fair pay for a hard day’s work. This rule ensures home health care workers receive the same minimum wage and overtime protections as virtually all other working people.
The proposed rule is a win-win for consumers and the home care workforce. Improved working conditions will attract new workers to this quickly-growing industry while reducing turnover among existing employees. This will allow more families the choice of home-based care as a long-term care option.
