Two issues are coming up in Congress that deserve our attention. Both issues have been blocked by Republicans for years. Now we have a chance to pass them.

The much needed minimum wage increase has already been passed by the House with overwhelming, bipartisan support, but is being filibustered by Republicans in the Senate. Funny how the press criticized even the hint of a Democratic filibuster, but ignore a Republican filibuster that is blocking much needed help for America's working poor.

Here is a message from John Edwards (not to be taken as an endorsement of Edwards, but he seems to be focusing on it):

In less than 72 hours, the Senate will likely vote on a proposal to raise the federal minimum wage to $7.25 an hour. It's a long overdue change that will immediately help over 13 million people, many living at or below the edge of poverty. But it will only happen if you speak up.

Last week, the Senate Republicans filibustered a clean version of the proposal, and now they're trying to force Democrats to either pass billions of dollars more in corporate tax breaks or give up raising the minimum wage.

The only way to beat the special interests is to prove to every Senator that the American people are watching. It's time to tell the Senate that American workers deserve a raise - no strings attached:

Click here to sign our petition to the Senate, urging them to pass the minimum wage raise without delay [1].

Last year I worked with many of you and with our partners to help pass ballot initiatives raising the minimum wage in six states - so I know first hand how much support this has among working Americans. And I also know it's the right thing to do.

There's no doubt the minimum wage is too low: a full-time minimum wage worker brings in just $10,712 a year, less than half of the poverty level for a family of four.

There's no doubt it's been too long: in the ten years since the minimum wage was raised -- the longest delay in history -- the cost of living has gone up 25%.

And there's no doubt a higher minimum wage is good for the economy: studies show that cities and counties with higher minimum wages maintain or even increase employment levels.

The only doubt is whether the corporate lobbyists and their Republican allies will be able to dilute and delay the proposal at the expense of American workers.

If we raise our voice now, you and I can help make sure that doesn't happen.

Sign our petition to the Senate urging them to raise the minimum wage right away [2].

Creating the working society we believe in -- where every full-time job provides the dignity of a decent income and a springboard to future opportunity -- will require bold fixes for the ways our system treats workers. These include shifting the tax burden off the backs of wage earners, providing full child care benefits for working families, defending the basic rights of workers to organize -- and raising the minimum wage.

It can happen, but only if we seize the big moments and speak out for what is right.

Please make sure the Senate hears your voice today.

You can also write Congress through this site [3] and please write the media [4] to support this long, long overdue minimum wage increase and criticize the Senate Republicans for fillibustering a measure that many House Republicans are backing Democats on.

The second issue of interest to all working Americans is the Employee Free Choice Act. This would allow the 57 million Americans who would like to join a union, but can't, to have the right to do so. Here's a summary of the act from Americans Rights At Work [5]:

Summary of the Employee Free Choice Act
S. 842/H.R. 1696

The Employee Free Choice Act was introduced on April 19, 2005, by U.S. Senators Edward Kennedy and Arlen Specter (S. 842) and U.S. Representatives George Miller and Peter T. King (H.R. 1696).

1. Certification on the Basis of Signed Authorizations

Provides for certification of a union as the bargaining representative if the National Labor Relations Board finds that a majority of employees in an appropriate unit has signed authorizations designating the union as its bargaining representative. Requires the Board to develop model authorization language and procedures for establishing the authenticity of signed authorizations.

2. First Contract Mediation and Arbitration

Provides that if an employer and a union are engaged in bargaining for their first contract and are unable to reach agreement within 90 days, either party may refer the dispute to the Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service (FMCS) for mediation. If the FMCS has been unable to bring the parties to agreement after 30 days of mediation, the dispute will be referred to arbitration and the results of the arbitration shall be binding on the parties for two years. Time limits may be extended by mutual agreement of the parties.

3. Stronger Penalties for Violations While Employees are Attempting to Organize or Obtain a First Contract

Makes the following new provisions applicable to violations of the National Labor Relations Act committed by employers against employees during any period while employees are attempting to organize a union or negotiate a first contract with the employer:

a. Mandatory Applications for Injunctions: Provides that just as the NLRB is required to seek a federal court injunction against a union whenever there is reasonable cause to believe that the union has violated the secondary boycott prohibitions in the Act, the NLRB must seek a federal court injunction against an employer whenever there is reasonable cause to believe that the employer has discharged or discriminated against employees, threatened to discharge or discriminate against employees, or engaged in conduct that significantly interferes with employee rights during an organizing or first contract drive. Authorizes the courts to grant temporary restraining orders or other appropriate injunctive relief.

b. Treble Back Pay: Increases the amount an employer is required to pay to three times the amount of the employee's back pay when an employee is discharged or discriminated against during an organizing campaign or first contract drive.

c. Civil Penalties: Provides for civil fines of up to $20,000 per violation against employers found to have willfully or repeatedly violated employees' rights during an organizing campaign or first contract drive.

Please write Congress to urge their support of S. 842/H.R. 1696 [6] and please write the media [7] to express your support of these bills and the right of working Americans to unionize.

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