My mother, Isabel Bravo, is a proud member of a public employees union. While we didn't have much growing up, seeing her fighting alongside her co-workers for better wages, benefits, and working conditions instilled a great respect for the right of workers. The income security and improved retirement benefits union members can gain through organizing are especially important today given these uncertain economic times.
Unfortunately, our current labor law is still structured based on the economy of the 20th Century and far too often favors big business and corporations rather than the workers it should be protecting. I've seen first-hand the struggle workers are forced to go through when they attempt to organize to have a voice at their workplace. All too frequently, workers' efforts to join a union are quashed by management's union-busting campaigns built around misinformation, intimidation, and threats of termination. This is unacceptable. We need to update our labor law to accurately reflect the realities of the modern workplace and to once again protect workers' rights.
That's why I support the Employee Free Choice Act, which was introduced to Congress earlier this week. We need to make it easier for employees to authorize union representation, establish harsher penalties on employers that violate labor laws, and institute an arbitration process for first-contract disputes.
A democratic, member-driven labor movement will be essential to rebuilding our middle-class and ensuring that future economic gains are shared by workers at every level of our economy. As the next representative of California's 32nd Congressional District, I will commit myself to defending and advocating for the rights of workers.
---
One last thing for the locals:
My Door
Some of my volunteers and staff
My campaign manager, Leticia Ramirez, and myself.
I'll be out in Azusa supporting our teachers. Drop by if you're nearby!