North Carolina's Union Movement

“AFGE Members are Working for EFCA”

Last week J. David Cox, National Secretary-Treasurer of AFGE, attended the NC AFL-CIO Executive Board meeting. He spoke to me about the Employee Free Choice Act and its significance for AFGE employees.

“The Employee Free Choice Act creates a level playing field for employees. It gives them the right to decide if they want to form a union and eliminates the game that companies and management play when they fight unionization.”

Although AFGE members, as federal employees, will not be affected by the Employee Free Choice Act, they are still investing time and resources in its passage.

“Many of our local members are writing letters to the editor, appearing in rallies and visiting members of Congress over the Employee Free Choice Act. This is an important issue and we support our brothers and sisters in the AFL-CIO.”

David explains that the benefits of passing the Employee Free Choice Act will extend to all employees, public and private. “Any time that people have the right to form or join a union, we all benefit. Public and private sector employees are in the labor market together,” he says.

“Having unions creates better wages and benefits, it services the community, and helps to strengthen the middle class,” he says. “Unions created the middle class, and that is the real American Dream.”

David encourages everyone to get out and support the Employee Free Choice Act. “It’s the right thing to do for the working men and women in this country.”