Public Employee Press

The World of Work
Unions push progressive agenda in new Congress
DC 37’s national union is part of a 41-member coalition pressing for a hike
in the minimum wage, drug price relief and health care reform.

When Democratic legislators introduce their “100 Hours” legislative package Jan. 4, they will be able to count on strong support from organized labor.

The American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees, DC 37’s national union, is part of a nationwide coalition of more than 40 progressive groups that will pressure Congressional legislators around the country to support the Democrats’ initiative.

Incoming House Speaker Nancy Pelosi of California wants to put legislation to boost the federal minimum wage on the fast track when the 110th Congress convenes on Jan. 4. The other three legislative proposals to be introduced in the House’s first 100 hours of business include cutting interest rates for college loans, letting government negotiate drug prices for Medicare, and cutting tax breaks for oil companies.

“We are strongly supporting the ‘100 Hours’ agenda,” said Charles Loveless, AFSCME legislative director. “We see this as a down payment for a populist economic agenda.”
The prospects for passing the package look bright in the House, where Democrats won a majority in the November elections. Democrats also won control of the Senate, but the battle will be tougher there because they don’t control the 60 votes necessary to prevent a filibuster that would block the proposed legislation.

“We are going to be facing opposition from big business in this country and others that don’t want change,” Loveless said. “But it’s very important that we can show the country that this new leadership makes a difference.”

Pelosi and Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid were guests at AFSCME’s Executive Board meeting Dec. 7. They discussed their commitment to changing the country’s priorities.

“The Republicans want to reward the wealthy; the Democrats want to reward work,” Pelosi toldAFSCME leaders, including DC 37’s International Vice Presidents Eddie Rodriguez and Joan Reed. “Republicans need to understand that they wouldn’t have their wealth without the people doing the work. We won on Election Day. Now, it’s time to change this country.”

To fight for the passage of the “100 Days” agenda, AFSCME is working with a coalition of 41 unions and other progressive groups called Change America Now.

The coalition is targeting 54 Republican and 32 Democratic districts to create support for the legislation through community meetings, media events, and phone and e-mail campaigns. The coalition will use its fight for the “100 Hours” legislation to press a broader populist economic agenda to promote job creation, higher wages and improvements in health care, education and environmental protections.

Another priority for organized labor in the new Congress is the Employee Free Choice Act. The bill would make organizing easier by letting workers sign cards rather than vote in secret-ballot elections to choose to join a union.

Legislative warfare is about to erupt in the nation’s capital. “It’s going to be a tough battle,” DC 37 Political Action Director Wanda Williams said. “Labor unions around the country will soon be very busy letting Congressional legislators know that working families want to see a change in the country’s direction.”