The Attack on Working Families

Here’s a quick look at what working families are up against, from Maine to Arizona

1. Elimination of collective bargaining rights for public workers. Underway in at least eight states this year, more threats coming next year. Also attacks on pensions and health care benefits.
   
   
2. Paycheck Deception. Campaigns backed by right-wing and corporate groups to take away workers’ right to a voice in the political process. Underway in 15 states.
   
   
3. Right to Work (for less). Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. put it best. Right-to-work “provides no rights and no work.” At least 12 states are pursuing anti-bargaining measures; 22 already have right-to-work laws.
   
   
4. Outlawing Prevailing Wage Laws. These laws make sure that community wages are paid on publicly funded projects like roads, schools and bridges, and that contracts don’t get awarded to political cronies who submit bargain-basement bids. They are under attack in 20 states.
   
   
5. Assault on Organizing Rights. South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley said, “we’re going to fight the unions and I need a partner to do it” when she hired a union-buster to head the state’s labor department and block organizing among workers at Boeing. South Carolina and at least three other states want to keep workers from using majority signup to win bargaining rights and a union voice.