Citizenship/Legislative Update

By Dan Dombek

Earlier this month, I attended the National CAP Conference in Washington D.C. UAW President Bob King told the delegation that groups against us are stronger than ever. He stated, “You can’t have a strong democracy without a strong middle class. Strong unions build a strong middle class.”

The negotiations with the auto companies in 2011, led to $20 billion of investments and 20,000 direct new jobs. Organizing efforts in the gaming industry led to 11,000 new UAW members. The potential for thousands more has begun.

The UAW worked with Navistar to bring thousands of jobs back from Mexico.

Unions are building a coalition worldwide. Nissan has been adamantly against union organization within their U.S. plants. Unions in Brazil and South Africa, as well as, green environmental groups are joining the organization effort. Nissan is organized in nearly all of their plants except in America.

At New York University academic workers were stripped of their status as union members by the NLRB who classified them as students. After an 8-year battle, led by the UAW, the workers were allowed to vote ---- and vote they did with 644 voting for the union and 10 voting against it.

Vice President Joe Biden gave a stirring speech. He illustrated how the decline of union density since 1968, coincided with the decline of the distribution of wealth. He stated that collective bargaining is the foundation of working people.  “It’s about economic growth.” To further illustrate this point consider this: in 1973, the average CEO earned 22x more than what the worker on the shop floor earned. Currently, the ratio has skyrocketed to 273x more earnings than the shop floor worker.

The Vice President had a unique way to describe the middle class --- by values. He said the ability to buy a home instead of renting, living in areas where children can play in safe neighborhoods and parks, the ability to afford college for your offspring, and the ability to provide care for your elderly parents…that’s middle class.

Congresswoman Marcia Fudge stated she can’t understand why the wealthy use our hard work to bring up their standard of living, but won’t share the wealth.

On the second day of the conference the delegates journeyed to Capitol Hill to meet with our congressional leaders. Topics included uncapping Social Security, extending unemployment benefits, raising the minimum wage, and fair trade language in the Trans Pacific Trade Agreement (TPT).

Our group, from the Cuyahoga/Medina County CAP Council, visited congressmen who are NOT in step with our views. They are the opposition and they see no problem with the above issues.  If the potential TPT Agreement contains language that phases out tariffs on Japanese parts and vehicles, it will be similar to giving them a $1 billion tax break. Currently, there are 122 autos imported from Japan for every 1 exported to Japan from the United States….yes, you read that correctly!

Beware of the Right To Work monster. It now resides in Michigan/Wisconsin. Is Ohio next? I believe this right to work for less mandate will be a major concern for all parties in our state in 2015. Here is some food for thought: in states that have RTW income per person is $535 less per month than states without RTW.

President King stated, “We’re losing the fight to be middle class. George Miller (D-California) put it in layman’s terms, “They’re taking your lunch.”

Get registered to vote. Make sure your family and friends do the same. Mid-term elections are coming. Know the issues!