Janus V. AFSCME

Floor Speech

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Ms. BONAMICI. Mr. Speaker, too many working families still struggle to pay their bills, to take care of their families, and to save for their kids to go to college or to take care of aging parents.

The middle class--households with an income between 67 and 200 percent of median income--is shrinking and income inequality is growing. Wage stagnation means more families will need safety net services like SNAP--food stamps--and housing assistance at a time when the majority in Congress is trying to cut those programs.

What should we be doing?

Consider this. Unions helped build the middle class. Unionized teachers, nurses, and firefighters have better access to paid holidays, paid sick leave, and retirement benefits, and less need for safety net services.

When workers have the right to join together and have a voice in the workplace, it is also good for nonunion workers who benefit from those higher standards.

Unfortunately, here in Congress and across the street at the Supreme Court, with the Janus v. AFSCME case, working families and organized labor are under attack.

To grow our economy and reduce the need for safety net programs, we should make it easier, not harder, for workers to form unions and collectively bargain. Until we do, we will continue to see a shrinking middle class.

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