A look at our legislative agenda for 2010

Photo: JIM WEST

During 2010 the Obama administration and Congress will be considering a number of issues of critical importance to UAW members and the entire labor movement. The following is a summary of the top legislative issues for the UAW during the coming year. UAW activists should focus their lobbying efforts on these priority issues.

Employee Free Choice Act

We are hopeful that Congress will take up the Employee Free Choice Act early in 2010. This legislation is urgently needed to restore the right of workers to organize and bargain collectively, free from employer intimidation and coercion. It would require employers to recognize a union whenever a majority of the workers sign authorization cards indicating that they want union representation. It also would call for arbitration in first contract situations, and stiffer penalties for violations of worker rights. Business groups and their right-wing allies are spending millions to block these labor law reforms. UAW members need to mount a major grassroots campaign in support of these measures.

WHAT YOU CAN DO

Please contact your senators and representatives and urge them to vote for the Employee Free Choice Act. Ask your senators to commit to vote for cloture to cut off any filibuster against this bill. Tell them this legislation is essential to restore the right of workers to organize and bargain collectively.

Economic stimulus

The economic stimulus package that was enacted by Congress in early 2009 has been credited with creating or saving 1.5 to 2 million jobs. But it is apparent that more needs to be done to give a boost to our economy and to create more jobs for American workers. In addition, Congress needs to extend through the end of 2010 unemployment insurance and COBRA health care benefits, as well as other assistance for workers who have lost their jobs during this severe recession. At the end of 2009, the House approved a new economic stimulus package that addressed these concerns. We are urging the Senate to take up similar legislation early in 2010, so both bodies can quickly approve a final measure.

WHAT YOU CAN DO

Urge your representatives and senators to pass a new economic stimulus package to help create jobs and boost our economy. In addition, tell them to extend to Dec. 31, 2010, unemployment insurance, COBRA benefits and other safety net programs to help workers who have lost their jobs.

Health care reform

Late last year the House and Senate passed sweeping health care reform bills. During early 2010 the Obama administration and Democratic congressional leaders worked to iron out the differences between these two bills. Thanks to the efforts of the labor movement, an agreement was reached to scale back the excise tax on health care plans that was in the Senate bill in order to limit its impact on most working families. However, the election of Republican Scott Brown in the Massachusetts special Senate election created an unexpected road block to passage of health care reform legislation. The UAW and our progressive allies are still urging Congress to press ahead and pass a final health care bill that incorporates key reforms in the House and Senate bills. Specifically, the final legislation should provide affordable health insurance coverage to most Americans; contain escalating health care costs by reforming provider payment and delivery practices and by establishing an exchange to facilitate cost-effective coverage for individuals and small businesses; and outlaw discriminatory practices by insurance carriers, such as denying coverage to individuals because of pre-existing conditions. In addition, the UAW believes health care reform should be financed by requiring more employers to contribute to the cost of coverage for their workers and through increased taxes on wealthy individuals.

WHAT YOU CAN DO

Urge your representatives and senators to finish the job by passing a common health care reform bill that incorporates these features, so President Obama can promptly sign this measure into law. Tell them it is critically important that Congress act now to enact this historic legislation.

Assistance to the auto industry

During the past year the domestic auto companies went through a painful restructuring process that resulted in numerous plant closings and the loss of benefits for workers and retirees. Other stakeholders also made sacrifices, including dealers, suppliers, bondholders and others. As auto sales slowly rebound, it is essential that the federal government continue to provide assistance to encourage the recovery of our domestic auto industry.

WHAT YOU CAN DO

Urge your representatives and senators to support measures that will encourage investment in domestic production of advanced-technology vehicles and their key components. Also, tell them to continue to oppose the unfair Korean free trade deal negotiated by the Bush administration, which would make our auto trade deficit with Korea even worse. And tell them to support measures to stop currency manipulation by China, Japan and other nations, which places U.S.-built automotive products at a competitive disadvantage.