THE TRADE UNION MOVEMENT

A Pillar of American Democracy

The American labor movement – twenty million strong – is vital to a free America. The freedom to join a union is one of our fundamental rights. Unions have given working people a voice in their working conditions, and have enabled them to build a better future for themselves and their children. The importance of unions in America has been recognized by our Presidents throughout the years.

RONALD W. REAGAN “Unions represent some of the freest institutions in this land. There are few finer examples of participatory democracy to be found anywhere.”

JIMMY CARTER “It’s almost impossible to separate the trade union movement of this world from freedom.”

JOHN F. KENNEDY “The American labor movement has consistently demonstrated its devotion to the public interest. It is, and has been, good for all America.”

HARRY S. TRUMAN “The right to join a union of one’s choice is unquestioned today, and is sanctioned and protected by law.”

FRANKLIN D. ROOSEVELT “If I were a worker in a factory, the first thing I would do would be to join a union.”

LYNDON B. JOHNSON “The AFL-CIO has done more good for more people than any other group in America.”

DWIGHT D. EISENHOWER “Only a handful of unreconstructed reactionaries harbor the ugly thought of breaking union and of depriving working men and women of the right to join the union of their choice.”