Friday, January 30, 2009

Change for Middle Class Led for Unions?

I do agree this order signals the beginning of a new government. The question remains. Is it the one we want? Will we still have freedom of choice? Will we still have freedom of speech?

Change to Win Statement on President Obama's Executive Orders for Working America

/PRNewswire/ -- Change to Win chair Anna Burger released the following statement today regarding President Obama's White House ceremony to sign four worker-related executive orders into law, including the creation of the Middle Class Working Families Task Force led by Vice-president Joe Biden.

"Change to Win, its seven unions and six million members, applaud President Obama and Vice-President Biden for continuing to stand up for working families by taking bold actions to restore the economy, rebuild the middle class and renew the American Dream. Today's executive orders are further proof that when workers vote for pro-worker candidate, workers win.

"Today, the Obama administration reaffirmed its commitment to America's workers. Taken together, these orders show that the administration recognizes the federal government's responsibility, as the nation's largest purchaser of goods and services, to set model employment standards for private sector workers, as well as for the direct federal workforce.

"Millions of American families are facing tough decisions when they gather around the kitchen table trying to find how to survive the economic recession. Can they pay for their health care bills as well as the home over their heads? Will they ever be able to retire or will their golden years be spent working at the Golden Arches? Workers' wages are the single largest source of consumer spending. Stimulating worker wage increases will help drive consumption and generate economic growth.

"The mandate of the Middle Class Working Families Task Force sends a clear signal of a new government. A government that makes sure working Americans are treated with the dignity and respect at the work place that everyone deserves. A government that understands that rebuilding the American Dream and fixing the economy means creating more than just jobs, it means creating good jobs with a wage that can support a family, benefits that can keep them healthy, and a secure and dignified retirement.

"We look forward to working with the new administration and Vice-President Biden on the Middle Class Working Families Task Force. Vice-President Biden has proven time and again his leadership and commitment to workers' issues and we are honored for the chance to work alongside him. On behalf of the growing numbers of workers who belong to unions as well as the millions more who are struggling to secure a fair voice in the workplace, we must explore every avenue available to create change that works now and for generations to come."

About Change to Win
Seven unions and six million workers united in Change to Win to build a new movement of working people equipped to meet the challenges of the global economy and restore the American Dream in the 21st century: a paycheck that can support a family, affordable health care, a secure retirement and dignity on the job. The seven partner unions are: International Brotherhood of Teamsters, Laborers' International Union of North America, Service Employees International Union, UNITE HERE, United Brotherhood of Carpenters and Joiners of America, United Farm Workers of America, and United Food and Commercial Workers International Union.

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