Unions have done a lot of good things for working people in America. Labor unions like the AFL-CIO, Teamsters and UAW helped to create the middle class. Because of all the benefits unionization has provided for working men and women over the years, Republicans have tried to demonize them as part of some vague socialist agenda.

Since 1981, when President Ronald Reagan fired the 11,345 striking PATCO air traffic controllers, the power and influence of trade unions has been seriously diminished in the USA, along with the once vibrant middle class. In the 1950’s union membership was almost one-in-three Americans. Today it’s less than one-in-ten.

In recent years, the One Percent has successfully undermined the ability of working-class Americans to organize and demand higher pay, health benefits, and better working conditions.

The average American needs a level playing field to compete in today’s marketplace. The One Percent have never cared much for us working stiffs: that’s why people were forced form unions in the first place. It was the only way to make our voices heard.

There’s no one left to represent the little guy anymore. Corporations are the only ‘people’ who count, apparently.

Labor unions like the AFL-CIO led the fight for the Family and Medical Leave Act in 1993, which requires state agencies and private employers to provide up to twelve weeks annually of unpaid leave in case of extended personal illness, to care for a seriously ill family member, or to have a baby. Note that this is still unpaid leave, however. In other industrialized nations, workers get six months off or more paid maternity leave: and that goes for both parents!

It’s shameful that a quarter of American workers get no paid vacations or holidays off at all. If you get any paid time off, it’s typically only a week or two of vacation in addition to the six traditional paid holidays per year. In the US, there’s no legal obligation for states or private industry to provide these benefits. If you’re lucky enough to get paid while on vacation, it was probably made possible through collective bargaining.

In the EU, laws require that all workers be entitled to the same benefits – even if you work at McDonald’s. Most western democracies also mandate a month’s paid vacation or more required annual leave. In some countries you’re actually paid at a higher rate while you’re out of the office, and if you happen to get sick while on vacation, you get extra time off to make up for it. American corporations operating in Europe must provide their workers with these benefits – by law.

Needless to say, no such laws exist in the USA.

We wouldn’t even have weekends off if it weren’t for political pressure from unions. At the turn of the 20th century, labor unions engaged in massive strikes and walk-outs to demand a shorter work-week. In 1938 the Fair Labor Standards Act was finally passed, laying the groundwork for a 40-hour week and overtime pay. It also mandated the two-day weekend so that employees could spend time with their families.

All American workers should be guaranteed decent health insurance, a good pension, sick time and maternity leave.

And a month off at the beach doesn’t sound too bad, either.

Does that make me a communist?