WHAT UNIONS HAVE DONE FOR ALL WORKERS

WHAT UNIONS HAVE DONE FOR ALL WORKERS

By John Spiegelhoff

(Editor’s Note: John lost his life in a motorcycle accident in southwestern Minnesota. John was the Staff Representative for AFSCME Council 65. He also was the county chairman for Nobles County DFL. We re-print this article to remember John and to thank him for his dedicated work.)

Most of us who reside in Minnesota are pretty humble people.  We do not like to brag or boast.  When we take care of each other and do good things for one another, we do not make a big deal of it.  It is just part of who we are.

The American Labor movement has been taking care of workers for over one century now.  However, sometimes it is necessary to remind people what Unions have done for all of us lest we forget.  And these accomplishments came on the backs of brave ordinary people who did extraordinary things often at high cost.

Weekends without work and All breaks at work, including your lunch breaks
Paid vacations and Family & Medical Leave Act (FMLA)
Sick leave
Social Security
Minimum wage
8-hour work day
Overtime pay
Child labor laws
Occupational Safety & Health Act (OSHA)
40-hour work week
Workers’ compensation
Unemployment insurance
Pensions
Employer health care insurance
Collective bargaining rights for employees
Compensation increases and evaluations (i.e. raises)
Americans With Disabilities Act (ADA)
Holiday pay

President John F. Kennedy summed it up best when he said, “The American Labor Movement has consistently demonstrated its devotion to the public interest. It is, and has been, good for all America.