Labor: Vote wisely to preserve union strength

If you care about your paycheck, you need to start caring about politics. As a machinists and aerospace workers union representative, I often hear the phrase “I’m not interested in politics” from union members – and this scares me.

Legislation dictates what can be negotiated in a union contract, as well as the right for workers to organize. The candidates we elect for office are the ones who write this legislation.

Almost every bargaining unit I work with considers wages the most important part of the contract and the number one priority in bargaining. So, I pose this question: If you were stripped of your right to unionize, and subsequently your collective bargaining agreement disappeared, what do you think would happen to your wages?

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, union wages are 27% higher than non-union wages. If you don’t want to take a 27% pay cut, you need to vote for politicians who will fight to protect your right to unionize.

Before you vote this year, ask your union which candidates they have endorsed.

This story was originally published October 24, 2020 at 1:31 PM with the headline "Labor: Vote wisely to preserve union strength."