Westbank Louisiana News

Senator Bernie Sanders of Vermont, the Ranking Member of the Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (HELP), has issued a statement addressing former President Donald Trump's actions regarding labor relations. Sanders highlights concerns about income and wealth inequality in the United States, noting that "60% of our people live paycheck to paycheck" and emphasizing the importance of trade unions for workers seeking better wages and conditions.

Sanders criticizes Trump for not supporting working-class Americans as he claimed during his presidential campaign. Instead, Sanders argues that Trump is favoring wealthy individuals by removing key pro-union figures from the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB). "When Donald Trump fires the most pro-union General Counsel in the history of the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) and illegally removes a member of this independent board," Sanders states, "he is not a champion of the working class."

According to Sanders, these actions have rendered the NLRB non-functional, making it difficult for workers to form unions or negotiate effectively. He warns that without a functioning NLRB, corporate leaders can intimidate union supporters without consequence and refuse to engage in good-faith bargaining.

Sanders cites an example involving Whole Foods employees in Philadelphia who voted to join a union but face resistance from their employer. He attributes this situation to Trump's decision impacting labor rights enforcement. Additionally, Sanders accuses billionaires Elon Musk and Jeff Bezos of attempting to dismantle the NLRB to maximize profits at workers' expense.

As part of his role on the HELP Committee, Sanders pledges continued collaboration with trade unions to counteract Trump's decisions and facilitate unionization efforts.