EFCA: The Right to Organize for Better Jobs

CA Delegation in offices of Rep. Lynn Woosley  When our phone rings at 9to5, it is a good chance the caller is a working woman.  But when the call comes from our job survival helpline, it is an even better chance the caller has no union.

On Thursday, Sept 9, 9to5 staff and leaders from California, Colorado, and Wisconsin joined  300 community "friends of labor" representing women, students, faith-based communities, small business, and environmentalists from 15 states to speak out for labor law reform in Washington, D.C. 

The Employee Free Choice Act (EFCA) would give workers a free choice between having an election or signing a card to request union representation.   EFCA would strengthen the labor movement for coming generations, and strengthen the ability of women to earn fair pay and benefits. 

We know that women – and men too,  need the benefits of a union job.  Only 12% of the labor force is unionized, and only 5-6% of the private sector.  The largest of the non-union service industries are often dominated by women, who work hard and make less.  Women represent 75% of the temporary, part-time,  low-wage workers -  in jobs lacking paid sick days,  health insurance benefits, seniority protections, and family-flexible policies.   The stubborn wage gap between men and women remains at 23 cents on the dollar – money still missing “after all these years” and across all job classifications.

We also know when we attempt to organize a union, or even just complain about unfair pay or conditions, we  are 50% more likely than others to suffer retaliation.  Employers feel free to fire, suspend, chop work schedules and reduce hours.  

_{Netsey Firestein (L) of Labor Project for Working Families with Joan Goddard, 9to5 Bay Area Legislative Director}

Joan Goddard, chapter leader from 9to5 Bay Area, and staffer Cathy Deppe from Los Angeles, took to the streets of D.C. and visited the offices of Senator Dianne Feinstein, and Congresspersons George Miller, Lynn Woolsey, Doris Matsui, Diane Watson, and Mike Honda.  Only Senator Feinstein among them seemed unsupportive.  We hope you will read our message to her below and send it to her in your own words – today!  California  Senator Feinstein’s support is absolutely essential.

Sample Letter:

Dear Senator Feinstein, 

I am writing in support of EFCA, the Employee Free Choice Act, as a member of 9to5 California, National Association of Working Women.

9to5 is a women’s organization fighting since 1973 for basic economic justice for women and their families.  “Justice” means that women supporting their families, like the mostly immigrant hotel workers at the Hilton LAX and the Hyatt Santa Clara, can organize for living wages and family friendly benefits.  In Los Angeles, hotel workers organized a seven-day, water-only fast outside their hotel in honor of a co-worker named Margarita.  This 36-year old mother of three faced physical threats of violence at her job every day – because she was part of a union organizing drive. Finally one day she came home and suffered a fatal heart attack.  Her family and many of us at 9to5 believe this death did not need to happen.  We are determined that deadly intimidation of hard working women and men must be stopped. 

Working women with union representation have higher wages and better benefits than those without.  They have time to be home with the kids.   They live longer and live better.  Working women need you to support their right to organize without intimidation, under the Employee Free Choice Act!