John,

While many of us are enjoying our three day weekend marking the end of summer and honoring the workers of the past whose grit and determination gave us things such as the 40-hour work week, safer working conditions, and health benefits, we also want to acknowledge some recent wins of the labor movement. And there have been plenty.

We’re nearing the end of summer, but Hot Labor Summer shows no signs of cooling down.

Hollywood writers and actors are on strike. United Auto Workers have authorized a strike. UPS workers narrowly avoided a strike having only just agreed to a new contract within the last couple of weeks. Workers demanding their collective bargaining rights need to be assured that their federal protections through the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) are strong and secure.

Meanwhile, new unions like Starbucks Workers United and Amazon Labor Union are facing off against some of the most aggressive illegal union busting in history. And recently, the NLRB has ruled that once an election is called, if an employer commits unfair labor practices or tries to bust the union, the election will be canceled and the employer must immediately recognize and bargain with the union.¹

These are huge wins for America’s workers. But they’re at risk if Congress doesn’t act fast and reconfirm Gwynne Wilcox to the National Labor Relations Board against the wishes of a vocal right-wing and their corporate backers.

Send a direct message to the Senate to reconfirm Gwynne Wilcox to the NLRB as soon as they’re back in session this coming week.

Ms. Wilcox already serves on the NLRB, but her term recently expired. If she’s not reconfirmed as soon as possible, the NLRB will be without the quorum needed to do its vitally important work. The NLRB will be hamstrung and won’t be able to step in and protect workers from corporate wrongdoing or illegal union busting.

Strong unions benefit all workers, even those who aren’t in the union. Studies have shown that states with the highest union participation are more likely:²

• to have passed laws for paid sick, family, and medical leave

• to have expanded Medicaid under the Affordable Care Act

• to have median yearly incomes $6,000 higher than the national average

• to have passed significantly fewer voter suppression laws

Unions are popular, with a recent Gallup poll showing that 67% of Americans support unions and three in four side with the United Auto Workers Union in their strike authorization vote.³

Senate Majority Leader Schumer has announced his intention to bring Ms. Wilcox’s nomination to a vote quickly after the Senate returns. That’s why it’s so important that you reach out to your senators today and urge them to show up for America’s workers.

Time is of the essence! Send a quick message to your senators and urge them to reconfirm Gwynne Wilcox to the NLRB today.

Thank you for all you do to support America’s workers,

Deborah Weinstein
Executive Director, Coalition on Human Needs

¹ NLRB paves way for workers to unionize without formal elections
² Unions are not only good for workers, they’re good for communities and for democracy
³ More in U.S. See Unions Strengthening and Want It That Way