USW warns against the most significant rollback in union rights in Over 70 Years

Thanks to Jeff Wiggins for sending us this.    

Congress is currently considering the Tribal Labor Sovereignty Act (HR 986/S 63), a bill that would strip National Labor Relations Act (NLRA) protections from nearly one million workers.

Background on the NLRA

The NLRA, enacted in 1935, protects our right to organize and collectively bargain. Men and women, including those who founded our union, fought and even died to secure these protections. Collective bargaining led to the establishment of the American middle class. Even today, with only 10.7 percent of workers in unions, we remain a driving force for better wages, benefits, and safety on the job. We can’t go backwards.

Weakening the NLRA

Ever since the NLRA became law, there have been those who have tried to reverse these gains. That includes the Taft-Hartley Act of 1947, which ushered in anti-union right to work laws amongst other rollbacks. This new bill – which has been called the most significant threat since that time – is now moving through Congress.

Current Challenge: Tribal Labor Sovereignty Act

The bill would strip workers of their NLRA protections at any commercial enterprise owned and operated by a recognized Native American tribe on tribal land. Those businesses include mines, casinos, and other for-profit companies. The employees at the impacted workplaces are both Native American and non-Native American. In testimony, the National Indian Gaming Commission noted that up to 75 percent of employees were non-tribal members.

In the absence of the NLRA, tribes would decide the protections for workers. The Blackfeet Nation in Montana has an ordinance that states, “Unions are prohibited on the Blackfeet Indian Reservation.” Right now that can’t be enforced. If this bill passes, that would become the law.

Consider this: A 2013 report showed that the average California tribal casino worker without a union makes $20,841 annually. If they had a union, wages jumped by $7,558 (41 percent). Having the right to form a union and collectively bargain makes the difference.

All Workers Should Have their Rights Protected – No Matter Where They Are

While our union fully respects Native Americans’ rights to tribal sovereignty, we will always support the rights of ALL workers to exercise their right to join a union. It’s why we want better labor protections in NAFTA. It’s why we fight against roll-backs to public employees’ rights at the state level. It’s why we oppose right to work. And, it’s why we oppose this bill.

We will soon be asking for action.  Please be ready to engage if called upon!

Sources: Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), Union Members – 2017; BLS, Employee Benefits in the United States – March 2017; Minority Views, HR 986; Congress.gov.

USW Rapid Response  | 412-562-2291  |  www.uswrr.org  | www.facebook.com/USWRapidResponse

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