The labor movement is the most successful antipoverty program ever invented. And the facts support a conclusion that for over seventy years the most improvements to the greatest number of families in this nation have come from the ability of immigrants and citizens alike to join Unions and harvest the fruits of collective bargaining, then secure those gains through political action and passing legislation.

According to the US Department of Labor working union means earning 33% more for women, 35% more for African Americans and 55% more for Latinos and overall 27% more for all workers when compared to working without a union. See fig. _ Working union means having a 77% advantage in health care and 50 % advantage in pensions.

Where greater percentages of workers are organized, wages are higher and benefits are better and improvements are easier to achieve. The U.S. has the lowest unionization rate of all the industrialized nations and is the only industrialized nation without a national health care system. The U.S. is number one in wealth creation and 34th in 22nd in educational achievement, 34th in health care, 27th in press freedom, 38th in personal freedom and 27th in sustainable development. When there is a high unionization rate corporations pay more taxes. In 1955 35% of American workers were in unions and corporations paid 40% of the Federal budget. Today corporations pay less than 5% of the taxes and unions represent less than 13% of the workforce.

A comparison of statistics in the 10 states with the highest rates of unionization compared to the ten states with the lowest rates of unionization on measures of well being demonstrates that when we work union, we all win. In the strong union states poverty rates are 28.3% lower than in the 10 states where unionized market share is the lowest. The rates of single family home ownership are 26.8% higher in the strong union states. Average household income is 19.4% higher in the strong union states than in the weak Union states. Health indices follow the pattern too. Infant mortality rates are 25.6% higher in weak union states, the death rate is nearly 10% higher in weak union states, the rate of occupational fatalities, death while at work, is 22% higher in states with the lowest rates of unionization. Rates of having no insurance are 27.9% higher in those same weak union states.

America has relied on education is the key to a better life for generations. Key educational statistics in the states prove out that when more working families have a voice their aspirations are supported. Per pupil k-12 public education spending in strong union states is 43.1% higher. The number of fourth graders reading at or above grade level is 16% higher and in eighth grade 24% higher in the strong union states. IQ scores on average are 11.9% higher. The social safety net is stronger too with unemployment benefits a average of 28% higher in strong union states and the worker comp benefit being almost 39% better.

In the current Republican dominated Congress the legislation, also known as the Card Check bill, was reintroduced with 216 cosponsors in the House (219 is a majority) and 41 in the Senate where 51 is the majority. Republicans filibustered the bill in the Senate this year. In the next Congress the chances for passage are greatly improved.

Brovo to Representative Kucinich!