In the 1930s, CIO union organizers used the slogan, "The President Wants You to join a Union." Franklin Roosevelt didn't specifically say, "I want every worker to join a union." But he had expressed his support for the labor movement and signed the Wanger Act into law that gave a federal framework for union organizing.
Biden offered a "God bless the workers" line at the end. So may the union organizers at Amazon should come up with a slogan like, "The President says God is on the side of the working class."
David Cohen reports the story for Politico, Biden backs right of Amazon workers to attempt to organize 02/28/2021.
Workers in Alabama – and all across America – are voting on whether to organize a union in their workplace. It’s a vitally important choice – one that should be made without intimidation or threats by employers.
— President Biden (@POTUS) March 1, 2021
Every worker should have a free and fair choice to join a union. pic.twitter.com/2lzbyyii1g
Biden needs to back his pro-union rhetoric with policies, appointments, and legislation to strenthen the position of unions and protect union organizing. Legislation will require ending the Senate filibuster.
And his Vice President Kamala Harris needs to overrule the parliamentarian who said the $15 minimum wage can't be passed in the COVID relief bill through reconciliation. And Biden and Harris need to make sure all 50 Democratic Senator vote for it, with Harris' vote as the tie-breaker.
But Biden's message in support of the Amazon workers, even though he didn't mention the company by name, really is an unusually strong statement of support for union organizing by a President.
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