Workers' Rights

We, the undersigned members of Jobs with Justice Workers’ Rights Boards, are deeply concerned about the pervasive violation of the rights of working people when they attempt to exercise their basic freedom to form unions and bargain collectively for a better life.

Over the past 30 years, workers’ living standards have declined in well-documented ways – stagnant or low pay, longer hours spent at work, unaffordable or no health care benefits, and increasing insecurity. Increasing income inequality is the hallmark of our time.

U.S. labor law protects the legal right of workers to form unions, yet employers regularly and effectively block that right. Employer violations of workers’ rights are routine and illegal firings of union supporters in labor organizing drives are at epidemic levels. In 2005 National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) annual report 31,358 people -- or one worker every 17 minutes -- received back pay because of illegal employer discrimination for activities legally protected by the National Labor Relations Act. But the perpetrating corporations pay no effective price.

This routine and flagrant violation of workers’ rights has created a climate of fear and intimidation in the workplace. The results are that too many workers do not try to exercise their freedom for fear of losing their jobs. They quietly suffer hazardous working conditions, falling wages, and declining benefits.

The Employee Free Choice Act is the first step to fixing this badly broken system by strengthening penalties for companies that break the law by coercing or intimidating employees. It will also establish a third-party mediation process when employers and employees cannot agree on a first contract, and enable employees to form unions when a majority expresses their decision to join the union by signing authorization card. It makes real the principle that the free choice about whether to form unions should belong to workers.

As community, faith, academic, and elected leaders, we will continue to work to disseminate the message that the right of workers to freely organize their workplaces is required in a democracy, and families and communities are strengthened when workers can bargain for fair wages, adequate benefits, and safe working conditions.

We call upon the U.S. Senate to bring the Employee Free Choice Act to the floor of the Senate as soon as possible. We urge that the Senate vote to pass this historic legislation as a public representation that this bill offers the best remedy to the egregious violations of workers’ rights and the best hope to restore to workers a voice in the workplace free from fear and harassment.

Sam Adams, Portland Mayor
Amy Agigan, Center for Women's Health & Human Rights at Suffolk University
Imam Abdur-Rahim Ali, Northeast Denver Islamic Center Masjid Al Taqwah
Antonio Amaya, La Comunidad
The Rev. Larry Angus, Presbytery of Denver
Edward P. Antonio, Iliff School of Theology
Michael Arken, Association of Retired Americans
Rabbi Benjamin Arnold, Congregation Beth
Edward Asner, Actor
Marya Axner, New England Jewish Labor Committee
Omar Baddar, Arab American Anti Discrimination Committee of Mass*
Laura Barrett, Gamaliel Foundation
Rev. Grace Bartlett, First Congregation Church of Brewer UCC
Rabbi Eliot J. Baskin D. Min., Congregation Har Shalom
Jim Beauchesne, Bread & Roses Heritage Committee
Pastor Norman Bendroth, United Church of Christ*
Elaine Bernard, Labor & Worklife Program, Harvard Law School*
Bill Bigelow, Rethinking School Magazine*
Martha Biondi, PhD, Northwestern Universtiy
Rev. Bonita Bock, Our Savior's Lutheran Church
Rabbi Lewis Bogage, Temple Ohr Shalom
Rev. Nadia Bolz-Webber, House for All Sinners and Saints
Pastor Matthew Bolz-Weber, Holy Love Lutheran Church
Rev. Alan Bone, First Parish Unitarian Universalist of Waltham*
Heather Booth, Organizer
Cyreena Boston, Community Leader
Rev. Bob Bowers, Paulist Center*
Joan Bray, Missouri Senate
Johanna Brenner, Portland State University*
Rev. Harold R. Bronk, Jr., Episcopal Diocese of Massachusetts
The Rev. Dr. Patrick R. Bruns, Brentwood United Methodist Church
The Rev. Dr. Joyce Caggiano, St. Paul's Episcopal Church
Gabriel Camacho, American Friends Service Committee, Project Voice
Rev. Dr. Phil Campbell, Iliff School of Theology
Janine Carreiro, Brockton Interfaith
Rev. Jeff Carter, Ephesus Ministries
Joseph Cartino, Economic Justice Action Coalition
Valerie Chapman, St. Francis of Assisi Church*
Rabbi Joshua Chasen, Ohavi Zedek Synagogue*
Rev. Bert Chilson, St. Therese Parish
Rev. Francis J. Cloherty, Our Lady of Lourdes Parish*
Roger Cook, Riverside Salem United Church of Christ
Roger A. Cook, Western NY Council on Occupational Safety & Health
Rev. June Cooper, City Mission Society*
Timothy Costello, Global Labor Strategies*
Fr. Christopher W. Cox, CSC, St Adalburt-St Casimir*
Fr. Richard Creason, Catholic Action Network
Cathy Creighton, Creighton, Pearce, Johnson, & Giroux
Rev. Chuck Currie, Parkrose Community United Church of Christ*
Irwin W. Cutler, Jr., Priddy, Cutler, Miller & Meade PLLC
The Rev. Dr. Susan E. Davies, United Church of Christ*
Benjamin Day, Mass-CARE*
Dr. Miguel A. De La Torre, Iliff School of Theology
Greg Delgado,
Michael E. Dembrow, Oregon House District 45*
Rev. Patrick L. Demmer, Graham Memorial Community Church Of God In Christ
Rev. Michael D. Dent, Trinity United Methodist Church
Charles Derber, Boston University
Fausto DeRocha, Brazilian Immigrant Center*
Judy Deutch, Unitarian Universalist
Lena Devy, Irish Immigration Center
The Most Rev. John Dooher, Marshfield United Methodist Church*
Rev. Mark Allen Doty, Ph.D., Hammond Street Congregational Church, UCC
Patricia Downs-Berger, Mass-CARE*
Madhu Dubey, University of Illinois at Chicago*
Barbara Dudley, Oregon Working Families Party
Veronica Dujon, Portland State University*
Rev. George E. Dunn, St. Andrew United Methodist Church
Rev. David Dyrenforth, Marshfield United Methodist Church*
Rev. G. Steven Ellis, Swedenborgian Church*
Bonnie Engelhardt, LICSW, Innerfaith Counseling Service, Inc.*
Timothy Eppinger, God's Tabernacle of Faith Church
Rev. Eunsang-Lee, Warren United Methodist Church
Rev. Pam Everhart, First UMC
Rev. Todd Everhart, Rinn United Methodist Church
The Rev. Dr. Norman Faramelli, Boston University and Episcopal Divinity
Father Tom Farley, Parish of the Resurrection
Mike Farrell, Actor
Deb Faustino, Coalition for Social Justice
Barbara J. Fick, University of Notre Dame*
Rabbi Brian Field, Judaism Your Way
Lewis Finfer, Massachusetts Communities Action Network*
Laura J. Folkwein M.Div/MSW, Sixth Avenue United Church of Christ
Chris Frost, Swanson, Thomas, & Coon
Erik S. Gellman, Roosevelt Univeristy*
Erik S. Gellman, Roosevelt University
Rev. Linda Gertenbach, Rocky Mountain Conference of the United Methodist Church
Jill Ginsburg, Temple Beth Israel
Benjamin Gohlstern Sr, Heritage Community Baptist Church
Marcy Goldstein-Gelb, MassCOSH*
Armando M. Gonzales, Gresham High School
Martin M. Gonzalez, Latino Network*
Rev. David Grainger, Maine Christian Association; Orono United Methodist Church
Percy Green, Percy Green & Assoc.
The Rev. Dr. Larry Grimm, Capitol Heights Presbyterian Church
Atty. Monica Halas, Greater Boston Legal Services*
Rev. Earl K. Hanna, University Park UMC
Emily Hardt, Women's Institute for Leadership Development
Martin Hart-Landsberg, Lewis & Clark College*
Maribeth Healey, Oregonians for Health Security*
Maribeth Henry, Oregonians for Health Security*
Mia Henry, Chicago Freedom School
Rev. Malcolm Himschoot, United Church of Christ
Jerry Hochsztein, Jews United for Justice
Brian Hoop, Office of Neighborhood Involvement*
Rev. Robert E. Hunter, University Park United Methodist Church
Pastor Elaine Ilewes, Redeemer Lutheran
Tom Ioccobucci, First Trade Union Bank
Paula Johnson, St. Joseph Valley Project
Father Brian Jordan, Holy Name Church*
Rev. Youngsook Kang, Metropolitan District of the Rocky Mountain Conference of the United Methodist Church.
Rabbi Keith M. Karnofsky, Buffalo Psychiatric Institute*
Rev. Marla F. Kauerz, Englewood United Methodist Church.
Father Robert Kennedy, St. Monica/ St. Augustine*
Fr. Loren Kerkof OEM, Franciscan Friars
Mary King, Portland State University*
Eugene DeWitt Kinlow, Washington East Foundation*
Sue Kirby, Mass Senior Action
Rev. Daniel Klawitter, FRESC for Good Jobs and Strong Communities
Sister Anna Koop, Denver Catholic Worker
Tina Kotek, Oregon State Representative (District 14)
Rev. Paul J. Kottke, University Park UMC
Fr. Robert Krueger, St. Francis of Assisi Church*
Rev. Martin Lally, Queen of Peace Catholic Church
Rev. Bradley Laurvick, St. Luke's United Methodist Church
Rev. Thomas F. Lemos C.S.C., Holy Cross Novitiate
Rev. Susan Leo, Bridgeport United Church of Christ*
Rabbi Durah Lerner, Congregation Beth El
Denise Lieberman, Advancement Project/Stetin Center for Law & Social Change
Msgr. Charles J. Lienert, St. Andrew Catholic Church
Rev. Alex Lingston-Kern, Cooperative Metropolitan Ministries
Rev. Kristina Lizardy-Hajbi, Colorado College
Hector E. Lopez, Ainsworth United Church of Christ*
Rev. Kate Lore, First Unitarian Church
Jason Lyndon, Community Church of Boston*
Anne Dunlap M.Div., Comunidad Liberación/Liberation Community
Rev. Thomas E. Maehl, First Luthern Church*
Jeffrey H. Mahan, Professor of Ministry Media and Culture Iliff School of Theology
Heather Mahoney, Kentuckians for the Commonwealth*
Sister Peg Maloney R.S.M., Religious Sisters of Mercy of the Americas
Michael A. Mancini, St. Louis University School of Social Work
James Mang, St. Joseph University Church*
Rev. Rob Mark, First Presbyterian Church of Waltham*
Rev. Linda C. Marshall, Trinity United Methodist Church
Bill Marx, Pax Christi of Western NY
Urszula Masny-Latos, National Lawyers Guild
Rev. Bob McCall, Blue Hill Congregational Church
Jim McConnell, Interfaith Worker Justice
Rev. Jay McDivitt, Good Shepherd Lutheran Church
Roxan McKinnon, City Life/ Vida Urbana
Mark Meeks, Capitol Heights Presbyterian Church
Linda Merric, 9 to 5 National Association of Working Women
Dr. Ruth Meyerowitz,
Eva Millona, Refugee Advocacy Coalition
Tony Minor, Community of Faith Assembly
Gerard Mirbel, Miracle Revival Ministry A/G
Rev. Teresa Mithen, St. John's Episcopal Church*
Patricia Montes, Centro Presente
Suren Moodilar, Mass Global Action
William R. Morris, Burns Memorial United Methodist Church
Rev. Calvin Morris, Ph.D., Community Renewal Society
Fr. J.A. Mosbrucker,
Rep. Jeanette Mott Oxford, MO House of Representatives
Rev. Frank J. Murray, Immaculate Heart of Mary Church*
Rev. Joan B. Murray, Chaplains on the Way*
Virginia Nesmith, National Farm Wker Ministry
Peg Newell, First United Methodist Church of Aurora
Rev. Gerald Oleson, Sunny Corner Fellowship
Tony Oppegard, Attorney at Law
Jeff Ordower, ACORN
Virginia Parks, The Russell Sage Foundation
Rev. Hank Peirce, Unitarian Universalist Church of Medford*
Rev. Tommie Pierson, Greater St. Mark Family Church
Rev. Lois Pinton, First Baptist Church*
Joe Pollak, St Louis Newspaper Guild
Verna Porter, Oregon Alliance for Retired Americans
Sister Mary Priniski, Boston Labor Guild
Mike Prokosch, Dorchester People for Peace
Martin Rafanan, Gateway Homeless Services
Mimi Ramos, Massachusetts ACORN
Bill Ramsey, Human Rights Action Service
Rev. Paul Ramsey, Mayflower Congregation Church UCC
Edith Rasell, Ph.D., United Church of Christ Justice & Witness Ministries
Rev. Dr. Vernon Rempel, First Mennonite Church of Denver
The Rev. Warren Rempel, Presbytery of Denver
Pamela J. Richart, Eco-Justice Collaborative
Anita Rodgers, McKenzie River Gathering Foundation*
Rev. Jessica Rooks, Lamar United Methodist Church
Diane Rosenbaum, Oregon Legislature
Grace C. Ross, Massachusetts Alliance Against Predatory Lending
Prof. Robert Ross, Clark University, International Studies Stream*
Rev. Dr. Patricia S. Ross, United Church of Christ*
Rev. Eugene Ross, United Church of Christ*
Rabbi Joel R. Schwartzman, Congregation B’nai Chaim
Pastor John T. Schwiebert, Metanoia Peace Community United Methodist Church
Rev. Laurel Scott, Centralville Methodist Church, Lowell*
Rev. Dr. Marilyn Sewell, First Unitarian Church*
Paul Shannon, American Friends Service Committee
Jeremy J. Shaver M.Div., Interfaith Alliance of Colorado
Rep. Chip Shields, Oregon Legislative Assembly
Rev. Delores Shortridge, Our Merciful Savior Episcopal Church
Rev. Merle Showers, United Methodist Church*
Rev. William G. Sinkford, Unitarian Universalist Association
Rev. Miriam H. Slejko, Trinity United Methodist Church
John Slosar, Saint Louis University
Horace Small, Union of Minorty Neighborhoods
Jeremy Smith, First Church of Winthrop, UMC*
Rev. Linda A. Smith, The Elm Street Congregational Church*
Rev. M. Lynne Smouse Lopez, Ainsworth United Church of Christ
Jose Soler, U Mass Dartmouth Arnold Dublin Center*
Romeo Sosa, VOZ Workers' Rights Education Project
Toba Spitzer, Reconstructionist Rabbinical Association (Congregation Dorshei Tzedek)
Dick Springer,
Bishop Elaine Stanovsky, Rocky Mountain Conference of the United Methodist Church
Vicky Steinitz, United for Justice with Peace
Joan Suarez, St. Louis Worker Rights Board
Joseph Tam, Community Leader
Pastor Mike Tapper, Pathway Wesleyan Church
Lucinda L. Tate, St. Andrew Church Faith & Labor
Dr. Tink Tinker (wazhazhe Osage Nation), Four Winds American Indian Council & Clifford Baldridge Professor of American Indian Cultures and Re
Rev. Julie Todd, United Methodist Clergy
Rev. Terri Todd, Parker United Methodist Church
Magalise Troncosa, Dominican Development Center*
Randy Tucker, Environmental Advocate
Ann Turner, MD, Virginia Garcia Memorial Health Center
Gail Erisman Valeta, Church of the Brethren Clergyperson
Gladys Vega, Chelsea Collaborative
Rev. Mike Voslar, United Church of Christ
Carla Wallace, Fairness Campaign*
Rev. George Walter-Sleyon, Weymouth United Methodist Church*
Robert Warnock III, Teamsters Local 364\
Don Washington, Community Leader
Rev. Emery Washington, Episcopal Church
Rabbi Arthur Waskow, The Shalom Center
Rev. Michael Wayne Walker, Messiah Baptist Church
Michael Wayne-Walker, Messiah Baptist Church
Nancy Weed, Oregon Hunger Task Force*
Nikki Weinstein, FOCUS St. Louis
Suzi Weissman, Saint Mary's College of California*
Kevin S. Wells, Brookline Church of Christ
Dr. Dana W. Wilbanks, Iliff School of Theology
Rabbi Joseph Wolf, Havurah Shalom
Marty Wolfson, Higgins Labor Studies Program, Dept. of Economic and Policy Studies at Notre Dame*
Robert E. Woolfolk MA, Agape Christian Church
David Yamada, Suffolk Law School
Elliott Young, Lewis & Clark College
Joseph Zanoni, University of Illinois at Chicago School of Public Health
Rev. Dr. Marti Zimmerman, Smoky Hill United Methodist Church
Anthony Zuba, Mass. Interfaith Committee for Worker Justice