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Monday, September 7, 2020

Educators support Joe Biden’s stance on workers' rights and unions - Education Votes

Educators support Joe Biden’s stance on workers' rights and unions - Education Votes

Educators support Joe Biden’s stance on workers’ rights and unions



When unions are strong, our communities are strong. This is a long-held belief of former Vice President Joe Biden, who supports “laws that allow labor unions to flourish and fight for basic worker protections.” He knows that it was labor unions that led the fight for working families, winning protections such as the 8-hour day and the 40-hour week, overtime rights, and access to health care and retirement security. 
While the COVID-19 pandemic has knocked down many working families and small businesses, causing millions to lose jobs and healthcare, Biden has led with plans to protect all Americans from increased hardships. His Jobs and Economic Recovery Plan for Working Families addresses issues that were present long before the crisis, which disproportionately impact communities of color who have never been fully welcomed as participants in the economy or compensated equitably.
Workers in unions earn higher wages and are more likely to have employer-covered health coverage. President Donald Trump claims to align himself with workers, but supports “decreased labor protections, rolled back worker safety and weakened federal unions.” He has appointed anti-union judges and cabinet secretaries with life-long track records of fighting against working Americans. His education secretary, Betsy DeVos, has time and again tried to limit the voice of educators and educator unions since she was confirmed. 
Here are four ways Joe Biden and running mate Sen. Kamala Harris will protect workers’ rights:

He will support collective bargaining legislation

Joe Biden believes “the federal government should not only defend workers’ right to organize and bargain collectively, but also encourage collective bargaining.” As president, he plans to make it easier for all workers to unionize and supports educators being able to bargain for better pay and benefits in addition to having a voice in decisions that affect their students.

He supports #RedForEd and closing the teacher pay gap

“These walkouts are vital,” said the former vice president of the #RedForEd movement. “Not just to make sure you get paid fairly, or you get health care…you’re walking out to make sure CONTINUE READING: Educators support Joe Biden’s stance on workers' rights and unions - Education Votes