Remembering unions on Labor Day

Not even Robert Reich, in today's Times piece  The Limping Middle Class on the stagnation of wages since 1980 (remember Ronald Reagan and the crushing of the aircraft controllers union - PATCO?), mentions the obvious: the weakening of unions has led to a decline in wages.  Now they are trying to finish the job - by eviscerating the public employee unions. - GWC

Remembering unions on Labor Day: "It was surprising when, after the brutal frontal assaults by the newly elected Republican governors that in a polling this week 52 percent still look upon and admire the union movements.
And, why not? Here’s a short list of what they were instrumental in achieving: An end to child labor, especially preteens in the mines. Establishment of the eight-hour work day and paid overtime. Workers compensation benefits for those injured on the job. Unemployment insurance for workers who lose their jobs. A guaranteed minimum wage (that Bachmann wants to wipe out). Improvement of workplace safety and reduction of job fatalities. Pensions and health care insurance for workers. Crucial support for the Civil Right Acts and Title VII which outlaws job discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex or national origin.
But, most important of all, it enlarged a struggling, low-income working class into the greatest and most expansive middle class in the world."
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