Women push for rights of workers

Kevin Ferguson

Monday, Oct. 8, 2001 | 9:54 a.m.

Women union workers are urging Congress not to lose sight of their key issues like pay equity, "paycheck protection" and Social Security -- all of which have lost the limelight since the terrorist strikes of nearly a month ago.

While thousands of Americans were laid off in the attacks' aftermath, it's imperative that unions continue sticking together, said union leaders Friday during the biannual convention of the Coalition of Labor Union Women (CLUW) in Las Vegas.

"We have to mourn the losses in New York, but we also have to get back to work," said Danny Thompson, Nevada president of the AFL-CIO, who was a guest speaker before a crowd of about 800. "We are the only ones left who will fight for your workers' rights."

He said if unions don't fight on paycheck protection and the issue gets pushed aside, it would be a "terrorist act against workers."

"Paycheck protection" describes proposals opposed by unions to require workers' to give their permission before deductions from their paychecks are used for political purposes.

CLUW was formed in 1974 to make unions more responsive to the needs of women. The national coalition has about 20,000 members.

The Las Vegas chapter has about 25 to 30 members, said Audrey Arnold, the local president.

"My only concern is that we give enough guidance ... or at least a safety net, to the laid-off workers until business picks up again," Arnold said, referring to the 10,000-plus layoffs that have occurred in the local hotel-casino industry.

CLUW members Friday approved an "Economic Recovery" resolution urging Congress to enact legislation that would extend the period of worker unemployment benefits beyond the current 26-week limit.

It also urges Congress to authorize and fund health care benefits to cover unemployed workers.

Since the Sept. 11 terrorist acts in New York and Washington, Congress has been expected to focus on national defense issues for the rest of the current session.

But a few non-national security issues will likely be debated.

One of those bills is the Trade Promotion Authority Act, which some call the "Fast Track" method of making trade policy because it allows the president to negotiate trade deals without congressional approval.

Unions opposes this authority for the president, fearing trade deals may undermine U.S. workers.

"A number of these issues are being snuck through because they are wrapped in the flag," said Dina Beamont, a CLUW member and the executive assistant to the president of Communications Workers of America.

Karen Nussbaum, director of the AFL-CIO Working Women's Department, said women are the key to reviving the union movement.

"We (women union members) need to do politics. We can no longer just give a check to a candidate or send flyers to voters in the mail," she said. "We need to be out there educating people about the issues."