Labor Day A Time to Hope and Remember

 

On this day it is appropriate to remember all of those who are not working through no fault of their own. We must work to create jobs and work to preserve the jobs we already have. 

My thoughts on Labor Day: Fellow Union brothers and sisters, you have my sincere wishes for a joyful day of celebration.   Today honors the importance of what we have dedicated ourselves to do: search and seek justice and fairness in the workplace.

I am grateful and thankful to be your State Representative. I am proud of the work I have done on your behalf.  I’ve only been on the job 10 months, and I stood up for our state workers when Republicans wanted to cut your salaries. I negotiated additional time off for our state work force when pay raises were eliminated. I am proud…very proud of the 100% ranking I have earned on your behalf. 

I come by my respect for unions naturally.

My father was a Teamster. I am a longtime member of the United Faculty of Florida. Unions play a vital role in keeping our economy strong. And at a time when jobs are scarce, I promise to be ever vigilent on the floor of the House of Representatives to protect the many gains we have made through the years.

Unions are a part of the foundation of our country.  The fact is, every advance in the last century-Social Security, civil rights, Medicare, aid to education, and our next challenge…health care, came with the support and leadership of American Labor. It is true that only about 20 percent of American workers are in unions, but we 20 percent set the standards across the board in salaries, benefits and working conditions. Americans who are making a decent salary in a non-union company, owe that to us.

I will be working alongside you to make sure that all Americans have access to affordable, good health care and never have to face losing their homes to pay for needed care, or decide whether to pay a light bill or buy their medicines. Someday we will look back on the time before health care reform as the dark ages. Our nation will be ashamed that we ever haggled over whether all our people had decent health care. As John F. Kennedy said about desegregation, the same can now be said about health care: “It is a moral issue and the world is watching!” 

In the coming year, I pledge to you that I will not let you down. I will stand strong against Republican attacks to weaken union representation.  You have my pledge. Enjoy our day of celebration. You have earned it time and time again.