By Amanda Menas
The National Education Association is focused on preparing its members for the major role they will play in the 2020 election. NEA’s 3 million members are directly impacted by state and federal labor laws that affect their rights to advocate for their profession and their students.
Some candidates offer specific policies to support union membership, while others express their support more broadly. There is a divide between candidates on whether union workers will stay on their healthcare plans or move into a public option.
But whether they are debating safety, pay, health insurance, or retirement, all candidates agree that union organizing has helped create the American middle class and are willing to fight for it.
In their own words:
Senator Michael Bennet
FACT CHECK: 70% of Americans like the insurance they already have: https://t.co/FJQBiKRRwF
We can get to universal health care without banning the employer, union, and Medicare Advantage plans millions have now. We do it with Medicare-X. https://t.co/O2tnQTqUdn
— Michael Bennet (@MichaelBennet) July 17, 2019
Vice President Joe Biden
I’m sick of this President badmouthing unions. Labor built the middle class in this country. Minimum wage, overtime pay, the 40-hour week: they exist for all of us because unions fought for those rights. We need a President who honors them and their work.
— Joe Biden (@JoeBiden) April 29, 2019
Senator Cory Booker
Massive corporations are profiting to the tune of billions of dollars and are still not providing livable wages for workers. Proud to stand with #FightFor15 today to demand $15 minimum wage, union support and fair treatment for workers and their families. https://t.co/zRQY410skZ
— Cory Booker (@CoryBooker) May 24, 2019
Governor Steve Bullock
62% of jobs do not pay enough to support a middle-class lifestyle. Here’s how we fix it:
✅$15 minimum wage
✅Strengthen Social Security
✅Paid family and medical leave
✅End the assault on unionshttps://t.co/98vcQC6qkx— Steve Bullock (@GovernorBullock) August 17, 2019
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Unions built the middle class in our country — and we’ve got to protect them with all we’ve got.
Mayor Pete Buttigieg
Wages have not kept up with the costs of health care, housing, and education. We need to raise the minimum wage to $15 and rebuild union membership for an economy where all workers can thrive. #Fightfor15 pic.twitter.com/OjhPATjqSl
— Pete Buttigieg (@PeteButtigieg) June 15, 2019
Secretary Julian Castro
On this #InternationalWorkersDay, let us recommit to fighting for an economy that puts people first. That means supporting unions, fighting for fair wages, protecting immigrants, and working to undo the damage of ‘right to work’ laws and the Supreme Court’s Janus decision. https://t.co/syfBRjo6yY
— Julián Castro (@JulianCastro) May 2, 2019
Mayor Bill de Blasio
Honored to stand with @McDonalds workers in Des Moines today in their #FightFor15. Working people deserve to be paid fair wages for their labor, period. pic.twitter.com/qCUM1OtETB
— Bill de Blasio (@BilldeBlasio) May 23, 2019
Congressman John Delaney
4/7 Because every union in this country has fought battles to get good healthcare plans for their workers. Why do we want to be the party telling them you have to give up your healthcare in a single payor system?
— John Delaney (@JohnDelaney) May 14, 2019
Congresswoman Tulsi Gabbard
I stand with the dozens of workers who have filed sexual harassment / discrimination complaints against @McDonalds, workers’ demands for union rights, and $15 hourly pay. American workers deserve to earn a living wage. #FightFor15 https://t.co/Rpv765yDxN
— Tulsi Gabbard (@TulsiGabbard) May 23, 2019
Senator Kamala Harris
When Republicans attack unions, we need to remind them that unions built the middle class. People have a five-day workweek because of unions. They have sick leave because of unions — we have safe working conditions because of unions.
— Kamala Harris (@KamalaHarris) April 3, 2019
Senator Amy Klobuchar
Unions are about the simple idea of shared dreams and shared prosperity. No matter where you come from, no matter who you know or how much money you have, you can make it in America. pic.twitter.com/vynonbs65O
— Amy Klobuchar (@amyklobuchar) August 15, 2019
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Unions are about the simple idea of shared dreams and shared prosperity.
Mayor Wayne Messam
Thrilled to tour @culinary226‘s training facility in Las Vegas today. Strong unions have an even more important role than ever to serve in recruiting, training and protecting the rights and dignity of all workers. pic.twitter.com/vmcvTT2WJC
— Wayne Messam (@WayneMessam) April 10, 2019
Congressman Beto O’Rourke
Standing strong with workers across the country as we #FightFor15 during today’s day of action and every single day. At a time when unions are under attack, let’s not forget that they are the backbone of our workforce and essential to making our economy work for all. pic.twitter.com/c1t6W588Sa
— Beto O’Rourke (@BetoORourke) May 23, 2019
Congressman Tim Ryan
As President, I will make doubling union membership in the United States my top priority.
— Tim Ryan (@TimRyan) July 27, 2019
Senator Bernie Sanders
If a company engages in job outsourcing, union busting or pays poverty wages, they will not get a dime in federal contracts from a Sanders administration. https://t.co/mD3MpAi6qL
— Bernie Sanders (@BernieSanders) August 22, 2019
Congressman Joe Sestak
We must have a national commitment – that’s why I have proposed “Training for a Lifetime” of our workforce, since technology in every field changes so rapidly. In America, we currently spend less than all other developed countries on labor training – close to nothing.
— Joe Sestak (@JoeSestak) August 16, 2019
Tom Steyer
The labor movement has always been on the forefront of social and economic justice. Today’s struggles may look different, but the principles driving them are the same.
It’s a privilege to work with @AFSCME to build a better future, and to participate in #AFSCMEForum today. pic.twitter.com/KW6vfEv00q
— Tom Steyer (@TomSteyer) August 3, 2019
Senator Elizabeth Warren
We need to rebuild unions in this country. That’s why I’ve proposed a new law banning states from passing so-called right to work laws that destroy labor unions. It will make sure that unions have a front-and-center seat at the table in any trade negotiation. https://t.co/yub6fAskkA
— Elizabeth Warren (@ewarren) April 10, 2019
Marianne Williamson
Opportunity doesn’t = outcome nor should it. But we’re fooling ourselves to think the US gives equal opportunity, when millions of kids are hungry, millions get sub par education, millions are saddled with college loans, millions lack healthcare & unions are consistently attacked
— Marianne Williamson (@marwilliamson) August 28, 2019
Andrew Yang
The automation of labor has been going on for years. We automated away 4 million manufacturing jobs starting in 2000. Many of those workers left the workforce and our labor participation rate dropped. Today it is around 63.2%, near a multi-decade low and the same as Ecuador. pic.twitter.com/HRfcSIzfqd
— Andrew Yang (@AndrewYang) February 27, 2019