You're young, talented, and on your way to completing a degree at one of the premiere Universities in the nation. After you graduate, you'll get a good job, have a little money in your pocket, and wile away the days in middle class comfort. Your skills and education are all you need to succeed in today's tough global marketplace and you're confident that you'll come out on top. So, why are Unions important to you?
It's hard for many students, especially those expecting professional careers, to see how Unions might benefit them. But even those who'll never need a Union to protect their rights as workers still benefit from a strong and vibrant Labor Movement. And, as the economy changes and upward mobility becomes more difficult, many of today's students may find themselves in lower wage occupations that are traditional Union jobs. While most students can look forward to a bright, comfortable future, there are others who will need the collective strength and power of a Union to guarantee a decent standard of living.
Unbeknownst to them, many students destined for "professional" careers will end up in Union jobs. For example, large numbers of teachers, nurses, therapists, and other healthcare workers are already members of Unions across the country. In fact, healthcare is one of the areas where Unions are growing most quickly. Some Unions even have locals of doctors and lawyers who've banded together to defend their interests. So, almost anyone entering today's global economy can benefit from knowing what a Union is and when they should organize one for themselves!
But even if you never need a Union for yourself (or your spouse, family, or friends), you still have an interest in a strong Labor Movement. In many ways, the Labor Movement is responsible for much of the social legislation we take for granted. The eight hour day, the weekend, and Social Security are just a few examples of the victories that earlier generations of Union workers have won for all Americans. In fact, during the last twenty years, while the percentage of workers in Unions has been declining, real wages have fallen, people are working longer hours, and the gap between the rich and the poor has widened dramatically. While a strong Labor Movement isn't the solution to all society's problems, the demands and victories of working people benefit everyone.
But Unions are about much more than just better pay and working conditions. As the single largest organized group of working people in the country, the nationwide Labor Movement has incredible power to influence the larger social fabric. Union support of the civil rights movement was critical in helping smash segregation and other legalized forms of discrimination. Unions have long championed equal pay for women doing equal work and opposed sex discrimination in the workplace and beyond. Nowadays, it seems like Unions are the only force willing or able to take on the giant corporations that are tightening their stranglehold our nations' economy and culture!
Unions continue to play a vital role in the lives of millions of working people across the nation and around the world. Their demands and struggles not only benefit their members but also help improves the lives of countless others. As a power social actor, Unions have the potential to not only change the lives of their members but also change our entire society.
You can be a part of that action. You can help working people to get the power and respect they deserve. You can help change their lives and the world. Join the Student Labor Action Coalition and get involved in today's resurgent Labor Movement.
Student Labor Action Coalition (SLAC)
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8-11-01