As state representative, I would work to ensure that employees are able to
work in a safe and non-hostile workplace. Other political parties take labor for granted and made labor a
divisive issue, even though they both support legislature such as NAFTA, and the Taft-Hartley Act. The root
cause of Americans losing their jobs/businesses is the North American Free Trade Agreement. It has backfired
on the United States in every aspect. Small business owners and union workers are seeing the conglomeration
of substantial corporations within Illinois and rapid exportation of American jobs overseas including the
Maytag plant in Galesburg, which crushed the town’s economy.
I will hold businesses accountable by rewarding companies who employ workers domestically and penalize
companies who send their work to other countries where wages are lower and human rights abuses are more
likely to occur. It’s patriotic to employ local citizens in all U.S. businesses, especially when the
largest consuming nation is America. Supporting U.S. businesses is the best way to sustain our economy and
to ensure that we don't slip into a recession. Workers shouldn't be afraid to collectively
bargain with their employers. That is why I support the Employee Free Choice Act and a worker's right to
organize a union. I would do everything in my power to pass this legislation in Illinois. It’s not a
coincidence that over the past 30 years as the middle class has shrunk that union jobs have also been on the
decline. Passing the Employee Free Choice Act is the first step towards rebuilding the middle class and restore
confidence in our economy again.
Employers should be provided a competent and skilled workforce, but if that workforce is providing quality
services then they should receive a fair and living wage for a job done well. I fully support legislation that
would establish a living wage in Illinois replacing our concept of the minimum wage. |
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