Quality Jobs
- Economic development is not just about jobs, but quality jobs with healthcare benefits, worker rights and employment security.
Every working American has benefited from labor unions. In the early days of organized labor, when corporations and heads of industry used violence to suppress unions, courageous men and women stood up for their rights, and won a great victory for us all. Safe working conditions, reasonable work hours, overtime pay, and health benefits are only a few of the privileges gained by labor activists that today’s workers, even non-union workers, enjoy. I am grateful to those who fought for employees’ rights in the past, and those who carry on the fight today. Employees just want to be treated like human beings, and to be fairly compensated for their sweat and toil, by which their employers profit.
Unions are the great equalizer in the workplace. They eliminate glass ceilings for women and minorities, and allow everyone to earn equal pay for their work. Union apprenticeships have been instrumental in providing marketable skills to people just entering the work force. They offer employees a chance to earn while they learn, giving them a pathway into the middle class.
Today, the ground we gained is threatened by legislation designed to suppress labor organization and depress wages. In an era of business deregulation, unions are being regulated out of existence. A few weeks after the terrorist attacks on September 11, 2001, the anti-union law that I call “Right-to-Work for Less” went into effect. Oklahoma became subject to a law that weakened all unions, including firefighter and police unions. It is indefensible to weaken the labor organizations of our first responders, especially so soon after the sacrifice they made for their fellow citizens.
Since the passage of Work for Less, we have seen an exodus of high-paying technical jobs, which have been replaced by low-wage jobs. The results are what you would expect. According to the Tulsa County Assessor’s records, the annual median income level has dropped by $2,000. Work for Less is an attack on democracy in the workplace.
The anti-labor culture that has emerged in recent years produced the worst case of employee abuse in modern times, right here in Tulsa. The story of the John Pickle’s company was a national scandal. You can listen to a full description of the story on This American Life by following this link: http://www.thislife.org/Radio_Episode.aspx?episode=344. Tulsa should make headlines for leading the way in labor relations, not for taking away workers’ rights.
We have got to repair the damage and strengthen unions. The hard-working men and women of my district can’t afford a $2,000 annual pay cut. Work for Less has come back to bite us. As your representative in
The world is changing and we must remain diligent in our mission of social and economic justice by working to achieve decent wages and conditions, democracy in the workplace, a full voice for working people in society, and the more equitable sharing of the wealth of our state.
There are some practical steps that we can take to empower labor and bring democracy back to the workplace.
I will work to end worker misclassification. Some employers are intentionally misclassifying employees to avoid their obligations under the law. Not only does this shortchange the employees of their benefits and pay, it costs the state revenue in lost income taxes. We can close the loopholes that are used to exploit and abuse the system and diminish wages.
Another measure we can take to help working families is to protect pensions. In the state capital I will be a watchdog against employers that raid pension funds and put the long-term security of their employees at risk. I will support safeguards to prevent companies from filing bankruptcy to avoid paying retirees what is owed to them.
We can also support workers by taking steps to crack down on unfair negotiation tactics. A method sometimes used by management is to run out the clock on contract negotiations to avoid a fair conclusion. Employers should respect their employees’ right to form a union, they should remain neutral during union organizing campaigns, they should bargain in good faith, and they should recognize unions voluntarily. Simple fairness and justice are essential for economic success, but only vigilance can protect our rights.
We can improve the standard of living for Oklahomans by making sure their paychecks will allow them to live above the poverty level. When minimum wage employees don’t make enough to pay for basic necessities, the taxpayers usually pick up the tab for the essential services they can’t afford. I will vote for sensible economic initiatives that will put more money into the pockets of Oklahomans EVERYDAY, such as raising the state minimum wage to a living wage.
I have watched laws against working people negatively impact our district. We need someone to fight for our interests, and that is what I will do in Oklahoma City. Our community is rich in history and culture, and it deserves better. My family has lived in the district since the 1930s. In my lifetime, I have seen a vital, thriving community struggle to maintain its personality and prestige. We have seen our malls, shopping centers, and schools close. We have not given up; we have persevered through it all. I have been an advocate for quality jobs my entire life, and I will be the same determined advocate when I am elected as your representative. This community is ready for a renaissance, and I am excited to be part of it.