Clark: "I think the union movement it the real secret weapon of the American economy."

Clarkie1

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Wed Jan-17-07 09:02 PM
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Clark: "I think the union movement it the real secret weapon of the American economy."

Edited on Wed Jan-17-07 09:30 PM by Clarkie1

General Wesley Clark at UAW Local 1314 in Huntsville AL
January 15, 2007

I think our labor unions have a vital role in this. Our labor unions have to be strengthened. We need the ability to do real training,

(Applause)

And real education through the unions.

(Applause)

I think the union movement is the real secret weapon of the American economy. We just have to turn it loose.

Some of you may not believe that, cause you’re not applauding... or maybe you’re stunned in amazement that I’m saying this (laughter). But I’ll tell you why.

Because what I discovered in the Army, was, and I’m not just an Army guy, but I’ve thought about these things, and I’ve watched them through organizations. People have to have a coach. They have to have some help. When you lose a job in America, there’s no one out there for you. Oh, you can go to the state or county employment office and say, “Are there any jobs?” but no one’s really there FOR you.

Our union movement, reaching across this country, knows where job openings are. Knows what skills are required. Can bring people together and provide the training, provide the medical assistance that’s required as transition, aid in the movement of household goods and baggages. You can become, in the union movement, what we do for our soldiers in the Army, you can do for America.

(Applause)

You can make labor mobility real in America.

More here...
www.securingamerica.com

Edit: I decided to also include Clark's position paper on labor during the 04' campaign below for those who are interested:

Standing Up for America's Workers
Protecting workers's rights to bargain collectively for the greater good

The history of American economic progress is largely the story of laborers who banded together into unions, in
order to bargain collectively for the dignity, respect, wages, and benefits they deserve. I understand the lessons that this
history provides. And that is why standing up for workers and unions will be one of my highest priorities as president.
President Bush’s record on labor is abysmal. He has taken every opportunity to weaken unions and set back the
cause of workers’ rights. As President, I’ll take the important and long-overdue steps to assist American workers achieve
better wages and benefits, access to health care, and a greater say in their working conditions. Here’s what I’ll do:

1. Raise the minimum wage. The real value of the minimum wage has declined 25 percent since 1979. A living
wage for all workers was the right idea back then, and it’s the right idea now. I support raising the minimum wage
– and ensuring that it keeps pace with the cost of living in the future.

2. Empower workers to organize. As president I’ll push for a “card check” law, requiring employers to recognize
unions once a majority of workers have indicated their intent to unionize.

3. End union-busting. Harassment, intimidation, and firing of would-be organizers is, unfortunately, not yet a relic
of the 1930s. It happens today. My administration will be vigilant in identifying and prosecuting such illegal
activity.

4. Retain Federal wage provisions for workers. The government should set a good example for all employers
by paying fair wages and benefits. The Davis-Bacon Act requires that federal contractors pay their workers
local prevailing wages. The historic Fair Labor Standards Act solidified legal protection for overtime pay. As
President, I’ll protect these vital safeguards from those who want to dismantle them.

5. Protect workers on the job. The Bush Administration has instructed the Occupational Safety and Health
Administration (OSHA) to ease penalties on employers who expose their workers to hazards on the job. Bush has
also attempted to cut funding for OSHA, which employs fewer inspectors now than it did in 1980. These reckless
policies put all workers at risk. I support stiff penalties for employers who violate the law, and increased funding
for OSHA and its companion research agency. And I’ll replace the Bush Administration’s weak, voluntary
ergonomics standards with real, enforceable rules that protect the health of American workers.

6. Promote free and fair trade. Trade has the potential to raise living standards both here and abroad, but we
must ensure that the terms of trade are fair, and that we are competing on an equal playing field. Labor rights
are human rights, and I’ll treat them that way -- internationally-recognized core labor standards must be central
elements of all new trade agreements. We must also improve our enforcement of labor provisions in existing
agreements. Finally, we must be vigilant in our approach to unfair practices outside of the treaty context. For
example, Bush has failed to prevent China from manipulating its currency, hurting American workers. As
President, I’ll do better.

7. Increase access to health care. My health care plan provides every single American with affordable access to
health care. The plan reduces premiums for many who already have insurance through a system of tax credits.
For workers without employee-sponsored health care, I also propose a new, low-cost insurance option: access to
the same federal health care plan provided to members of Congress.

http://www.clark04.com/downloads/pdf/Clark04_AmericasWorkers.pdf