BAC Members—Support is Strong for the Employee Free Choice Act

On February 11, 2009, Congress received petitions in support of the Employee Free Choice Act containing more than 1.5 million union members’—including thousands of BAC members’—signatures. The Employee Free Choice Act will give workers back the freedom to bargain for better wages and benefits.

Below is just a sampling of what BAC members are saying on video and on petitions to Congress about why we need to pass the Employee Free Choice Act:

What BAC Members Are Saying About the Employee Free Choice Act

	Matt McClester, Local 40 OH, Ohio Administrative District Council
	Ray Wersel, Local 8 Wisconsin, Wisconsin Administrative District Council

Give us the right to make a good wage…how can people spend money and make the economy strong if we don’t have extra to spend?
Liam, BAC Local 3 New York

I know from personal experience that employers can, by intimidation, stop employees from forming a union, even if the majority wants to join.
Leroy, Local 15 West Virginia

Never forget the people who built this country; the middle class is the backbone of the United States.
Jeremy, BAC Local 13 Nevada

For many years I have had to fight hard to get and keep the representation of a union. They have provided me with a better and safer life. All workers should be able to have this option without the owner of the company threatening them with [the] loss of their jobs if they join a union. I have been there and lived it, so I know first hand that it isn't the unions that are using threats and scare tactics to intimidate workers…
Walt, BAC Local 3 Washington/Idaho/Montana

We are the American people — it’s time to get back what we work hard to get. We are UNION!
Raymond, Local 7 Ohio

All the American workforce should endorse and commit to pass this as a federal law.
Salvatore, BAC Local 1 New York

My union has provided for me and my family with good wages, health care, and a pension.  All Americans should have the right to form and join a union.
Mike, BAC Local 1 Pennsylvania/Delaware

Restore dignity to the middle class. We need hope that our children can still go to college and enjoy the American dream. Any one willing to get up early and work hard all day should be able to enjoy such basic needs.
Mark, BAC Local 1 Michigan

I arrived in America 22 years ago with my wife and 2 small boys. A friend advised me to join the union. He mentioned pay, health insurance and retirement. He was right and I can't thank him enough. At 60, if I choose to retire I will have [a substantial amount] every month from the union pension. How many workers in America can claim that ???
Jose, BAC Local 1 Connecticut

I work very hard using my body and skills taught by my union. I take my 1/2 hour lunch and one ten minute break, the rest is non-stop work. My union provides a decent wage and benefit package that makes it worth the hard work; yet most people say we are overpaid….
Salvatore, BAC Local 5 Ohio

I think this is a wonderful opportunity to support the Employee Free Choice Act and America's working families.  Great legislative effort!
Joanna, (Retired IU Headquarters Staff)

Don't just sit there get involved - this is your chance to make a difference... We need to count your vote!
Val, Local 7 New York/New Jersey

It's about time average Americans will be able to enjoy benefits and real purchasing power to sustain our economy.  It's a joke how our government has let the corporations suck money from us into their profits and executive pay.
Pete, BAC Local 18 California

Keep it strong. Thank you.
Frank, BAC Local 1 Michigan

About time something is done. Now to eliminate right to work legislation and so on...
Greg, BAC Local 22 Ohio

With the state of today's precarious workplace, every worker has the right to representation. Unions provide that voice.
Walter, BAC Local 4 New Jersey

I am a journey person in brick, block and stone mason.  My husband is the one who talked me into, and since then we have traveled and worked in MI, WI, WA, OR, IN, NY, MO, KY, TN & TX.  Since joining the union we have rarely been out of work because of the job bank and the excellent working conditions insisted on by the local union reps. If there is something that I could assist with please do not hesitate to contact me.
Darlene, BAC Local  9 Michigan

I feel that anyone that desires to establish a union in the work place is a good thing…
Todd, BAC Local 1 Maryland/Virginia/DC

We have to do what’s right for workers!
William, BAC Local 1 Minnesota/North Dakota

We've stood on the shoulders of our Grandfathers long enough. Now it is our turn to take up the fight. The fight for our proper share of the wealth we produce, for safe and tolerable conditions. We must embrace and teach our Spanish-speaking brothers, and we must stand together, or fail if divided. In this new Political environment, an opportunity, a fleeting opportunity is presented that must be taken; by our Leadership, and the Rank and File. Our corporations have become multi-national, and no longer have our best interests at heart. We must defend the American Worker, our Values, and our children's Future. The Fight is Ours, The Time is Now. 
Mark, BAC Local 4 New Jersey

GO FOR IT - LOTS OF LUCK - I AM A 59 YEAR MEMBER OF BAC.
Richard, BAC Local 3 Washington/Idaho/Montana

Please make The Employee Free Choice Act happen right now! After serving my country in the military ( Navy ) from 1975-1978, I decided to join the Bricklayers Union Local # 1 here in Portland, Oregon in 1979. My father was a Union Bricklayer before me, and together with my Mom, who was a Union Nurse, they both raised 4 kids, lived in decent homes, and were hard workers all their 40 years working. One of the reasons I joined a Union was because I felt it was a good career, and a good way to live the "American Dream" like my parents had done; raising 4 kids, living in nice homes, taking vacations with their family, having Medical, Dental, & Vision benefits for their entire family, buying a new car every now and then, and having a Union Pension plan for when they retired. So let's get the Employee Free Choice Act passed right away, so we can bring back hope once again and have generations of Americans be able to live "The American Dream" !!!!
Bruce, BAC Local 1 Oregon

WE CAN! LET'S DO IT......
Rich, BAC Local 56 Illinois

The union has helped give me a great standard of living and I'm proud to say I belong to Bricklayers and Allied Craftworkers.
Donald, Local 1 Michigan

I know the passage of this bill will help rebuild the middle class and give working families health care, retirement and hope for the future. With hope will come prosperity and economic recovery.
Paul, BAC Local 1 Maryland/Virginia/DC

I think we need this as I’ve seen how employers can intimidate employees who try to join a union at their workplace. It’s like you’re in a third world country how they can intimidate you and your coworkers into thinking you’ll lose your job or be blackballed for trying. [The Employee Free Choice] Act can make it less likely that intimidation would work…[and] free employees from the fear of losing their jobs.
James, BAC Local 6 Wisconsin

This needs to happen to help us and put this country back to work with a living wage.
Tom, BAC Local 1 Maryland/Virginia/DC

Let's get it done!
Timothy, BAC Local 1 New York

23 years of union service – there can be no substitution for my union benefits. Protect the middle class, enact EFCA immediately.
Jeffrey, BAC Local 4 Indiana/Kentucky