Shocking but true: the United States has a lower rate of unioized workers than most democracies around the globe. Australia, Brazil, Japan, and South Africa have higher percentages of organized workers than the USA.

How does the EFCA affect Local 1034 members now? The kinds of attacks we suffer from the employer at the bargaining table, in the media, and in the state house are supported by the non-union workers who don't understand or have not benefited from a union contract. State workers are criticized for having generous health and pension benefits, but these benefits were hard-won at the bargaining table and through political action. If we do not make organizing easier, and actively recruit non-union workers and workplaces to join us in the labor movement, we all will suffer a race to the bottom. EFCA will help workers organize faster, without fear of retribution from the employer, and bargain first contracts faster.