Learning How to Protect Workers

Recently, we went to hear Prof. Stephen Ashby of the University of Illinois speak to us about labor history (from about the last 60 years). In his presentation, he told us that the United States has the worst labor laws of almost any developed country. Although many of us take for granted that we have an 8-hour workday and vacation and sick day benefits, there are no laws that guarantee us these conditions so essential to a healthy work environment. This is what I told a family friend when she asked me why laborers are striking in Illinois- because they want contracts. "But they already have contracts, don't they?" she said. I answered that they did, but those contracts had expired, and the contract is the only thing that truly protects workers.

This is why I have developed an interest in working in the labor movement from the legislative/lobbying side. I have learned that we have so much progress to make in this country towards truly protecting workers. The antagonism that happens between employers and workers trying to unionize could perhaps be alleviated if we had laws that guaranteed workers some of the things they fight for in their contracts. While community organizations like ARISE Chicago (mentioned below in the post by my fellow intern Paul) can fight for workers on a grassroots level, and while sometimes workers do have legal victories like the recent court decision regarding Chicago's Blackstone Hotel, I feel passionate about working towards protecting them on a legislative level. This has pushed me to look into masters programs in Labor and Employment Relations like the one at the University of Illinois. Hopefully with further education I will be able to pursue a career that allows me to make a difference in the lives of workers from the top down.