Warren Leads the Way Toward Raising Wages With Union Leader, Rethinking How to Support Workers

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http://www.alternet.org/labor/elizabeth-warren-leads-way-toward-raising-wages-and-union-leader-rethinking-how-support



If the U.S. didn’t have a labor movement, Americans would have to invent one. AFL-CIO President Richard Trumka understands that, so that’s what he’s trying to do.

I know, that’s a contradiction: there is an American labor movement, and Trumka is its leader. But it’s greatly diminished from its power in the 1950s, with union membership down from a high of 35 percent to around 12 percent, and private sector membership under 7 percent. When union ranks peaked in the 1940s and 50s, American workers’ wages were at their highest, and income inequality at its lowest.

But as union membership declined, so did average wages. A study by the Economic Policy Institute found that the decline of unions accounts for one third of the growth of wage inequality in the last 30 years. And on Friday, even as the unemployment rate ticked down again for December, to 5.6 percent, hourly earnings did too.

We’re not likely to return to the glory days of union power any time soon. So in the last few years Trumka has been busy forming alliances with progressives to build a labor movement in which unions are central, but they’re not the only way to support workers. From backing Working America, to advance progressive politics even among non-union members, to supporting the “Fight for $15” movement to hike wages for non-union fast-food and big box retail workers, to joining in the call for changes in police practices in Ferguson, Mo., New York and elsewhere, the AFL-CIO has been active in new ways of late. Progressive union leaders and their allies are trying to envision a powerful 21st century labor movement, knowing it won’t look like it did in the 20th.

[RiverLover]

1. In 2011, my corporate employer squashed an attempt to unionize by some workers in the field.

And needless to say, the good people who tried to increase workers rights and improve conditions are no longer with the company. The attempt is rather legendary now in our little corner of the world. No one will ever try that again.

Elizabeth Warren is leading the way, though, to take back the good name of unions & workers rights. We're so lucky to have her in Washington!

Run, Liz, Run!!