Liberal

Dunay: Democrats’ support of labor unions will lead to success in 2016

Last week, Wisconsin Governor and possible 2016 GOP presidential candidate Scott Walker signed right-to-work legislation into law — making Wisconsin the 25th state with such statutes that constrict labor unions from accomplishing their main objectives.

That same morning, Vice President Joe Biden came out swinging against Walker in front of the International Association of Firefighters. Biden said, “(He’s) not looking for striped shirt guys. (He’s) looking for black shirts, not referees.” Biden’s statement criticizes Walker’s belief that this legislation takes a neutral angle.

As we barrel on, picking up steam and heading into the 2016 election season, it is becoming more and more apparent that the Democrats need to take a stand. It is imperative that they act on polarizing issues such as income inequality, state pensions and entitlement plans.

And a promise and a plan to reform organized labor in the United States could assure a victory for Democrats.

Right-to-work laws tend to be a bit misleading. By name, one would assume said legislation guarantees American citizens the right to work. However, it’s a bit different. Right-to-work laws essentially allow state governments to constrict the way established unions function. Although they should act as a referee between government and unions, they are often a detriment to unions. Oftentimes, they prevent unions from requiring membership in certain private sector areas and prohibit unions from collecting dues or fees from non-members.



Labor unions, throughout their history, act on the basis of collective bargaining. Whether it is the private or public sector, labor unions exist to negotiate for specific trade workers — for example, teachers, firemen, policemen, etc. — with their respective employers over wages, benefits and working conditions.

While it is true that union membership is down from its height in the 1950s, their political and economic presence is still very much alive. Teachers unions in Chicago, Philadelphia, Washington, D.C. and many other places have won small victories to improve the classroom experience. Manufacturing workers are fighting for their pensions to give their children a better start in life.

Unions are bound to a code of fair representation. But right-to-work legislation gives trade workers the choice to join a union, rather than requiring their membership. As a result, non-members don’t pay for the union’s bargaining actions all the while benefitting from the victories of the unions without paying for services.

Democrats should recognize the need for organized labor reform and create a plan from a nonpartisan angle. A major focus of the plan should be to strengthen labor unions. As union membership has dropped, so has the middle-class income according to the Department of Labor. As income inequality becomes increasingly dangerous, the Democrats have an opportunity to appeal to the working class and help save labor in America — all with the plan of 2016 victory in mind.

The Republicans, in their efforts to turn their backs on organized labor, have opened the door for Democrats to provide true reform to labor, act as the heroes and also regain organized labor’s bipartisan support that existed during the height of America’s economic prosperity.

Think of it like Frank Underwood’s education bill ploy in “House of Cards” season one — it’s all about the bigger picture.

Eric Dunay is a freshman in the School of Architecture. His column appears weekly. He can be contacted at ebdunay@syr.edu or on Twitter @ERock_28.





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