The Right to Organize
The Issue
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The right to organize in the workplace is a fundamental human right that allows workers to come together to improve their wages, benefits, and working conditions. In Wisconsin, workers have the legal right to form and join unions, but this right has been threatened in recent years due to changes in labor laws and increased opposition from employers.
Wisconsin has a long history of strong labor unions, but in recent years, there has been a decline in union membership and power. The passage of Act 10 in 2011 severely limited the collective bargaining rights of public sector workers, and Wisconsin is now a "right-to-work" state, which means that employees cannot be required to join a union as a condition of employment. These changes have weakened the power of unions and made it more difficult for workers to organize.
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What we can do:
Support Worker Centers:
Worker centers are community-based organizations that provide resources and support to workers who are organizing and fighting for their rights. Wisconsin can support worker centers by providing funding and resources to help them expand their reach and impact.
How others can help:
By protecting collective bargaining rights, strengthening protections for whistleblowers, and supporting worker centers, Wisconsin can ensure that workers have the tools to organize and fight for their rights. By supporting unionization efforts and advocating for workers' rights, individuals can help build a stronger, more equitable labor movement in Wisconsin.
Sources:
https://pbswisconsin.org/news-item/wisconsin-workers-show-renewed-energy-after-decade-of-anti-union-laws/
https://www.xperthr.com/employment-law-guide/labor-and-employment-law-overview-wisconsin/258/
https://www.epi.org/publication/bp159/
- Protect Collective Bargaining Rights:
- Wisconsin can protect collective bargaining rights by repealing Act 10 and restoring full collective bargaining rights to public sector workers. Additionally, the state can enact laws protecting private-sector workers' rights to organize and bargain collectively.
- Strengthen Protections for Whistleblowers:
- Whistleblowers play an essential role in exposing violations of labor laws and protecting the rights of workers to organize. Wisconsin can strengthen protections for whistleblowers by enacting stronger whistleblower protections and ensuring that workers who report violations are protected from retaliation.
Support Worker Centers:
Worker centers are community-based organizations that provide resources and support to workers who are organizing and fighting for their rights. Wisconsin can support worker centers by providing funding and resources to help them expand their reach and impact.
- https://workerjustice.org/
- https://www.legalaction.org/
- https://lasmilwaukee.com/
- https://www.communityjusticeinc.org/
- https://www.legalaction.org/contact-us/oshkosh-area-office
- https://www.legalaction.org/contact-us/racine-area-office
- https://www.dclegalaid.org/
How others can help:
- Support Unionization Efforts:
- Individuals can support unionization efforts by joining unions, encouraging their coworkers to do the same, and advocating for unionization in their workplaces.
- Advocate for Workers' Rights:
- Individuals can advocate for workers' rights by contacting their legislators and urging them to support laws and policies that protect the right to organize and bargain collectively.
By protecting collective bargaining rights, strengthening protections for whistleblowers, and supporting worker centers, Wisconsin can ensure that workers have the tools to organize and fight for their rights. By supporting unionization efforts and advocating for workers' rights, individuals can help build a stronger, more equitable labor movement in Wisconsin.
Sources:
https://pbswisconsin.org/news-item/wisconsin-workers-show-renewed-energy-after-decade-of-anti-union-laws/
https://www.xperthr.com/employment-law-guide/labor-and-employment-law-overview-wisconsin/258/
https://www.epi.org/publication/bp159/