Congressman Paul Kanjorski - UNIONS

Congressman Kanjorski strongly believes in strengthening the economic security of America’s labor force and protecting its working families. In these uncertain economic times, Congressman Kanjorski believes that it is more important that ever that we fight to protect America’s middle class families.

To that end, Congressman Kanjorski has: (1) worked to make it easier for Americans to join unions and bargain collectively; (2) opposed unfair free trade agreements that result in outsourcing American jobs to other countries; (3) voted on multiple occasions to extend emergency unemployment benefits to those struggling in a difficult economy; (4) worked to increase the minimum wage for the first time in a decade; and (5) worked to ensure equal pay for equal work;.

As a result of these actions, Congressman Kanjorski has received strong ratings from all the major labor unions.

Encouraging Union Membership:

Since coming to Congress, Congressman Kanjorski has been a strong supporter of the right of workers to join unions and bargain collectively.

As such, Congressman Kanjorski was once again a proud cosponsor of the Employee Free Choice Act to streamline the organizing process and make it easier for Americans to join unions. Unions have led to the creation of a vibrant middle class and the betterment of our society as a whole. Across Pennsylvania and the United States, countless workers have formed unions to gain a more powerful voice in dealing with management toward their shared interests.

The House passed the Employee Free Choice Act (241 to 185) in March 2007. On June 26, 2007, the Senate failed to pass the bill on a predominantly partly-line vote.

Opposing Outsourcing and Agreements that Ship Jobs Overseas:

Congressman Kanjorski is greatly concerned about the movement of manufacturing, high-tech, and other good-paying jobs to other nations. Congressman Kanjorski believes that this movement, otherwise known as outsourcing, is accelerated when the United States enters into unfair free trade agreements.

Because of his concerns regarding outsourcing and its impact on American workers, Congressman Kanjorski has regularly opposed unfair trade agreements. For instance, he voted against the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) and the extension of favorable trading terms to China.

In the last several years, Congressman Kanjorski has voted against legislation to implement the Central American Free Trade Agreement (CAFTA), as well as agreements with Chile, Singapore, Morocco, Australia, Bahrain, Oman and Peru that the Bush Administration negotiated.

Congressman Kanjorski has also repeatedly voted against giving fast track authority to the President to negotiate trade agreements with other nations and was proud to be part of a Democratic majority in Congress that allowed fast track authority to expire on July 1, 2007.

Extending Unemployment Benefits:

Congressman Kanjorski is very concerned about Americans who are struggling in this difficult economy, especially those who are out of work. As such, the Congressman has voted on multiple occasions to provide 13 weeks of extended unemployment compensation benefits in all states to individuals who have exhausted their regular unemployment compensation (26 weeks) for a benefit year. This extension was signed into law on June 30, 2008. Congressman Kanjorski continues to work to provide additional extensions of unemployment benefits.

Increasing the Minimum Wage:

Congressman Kanjorski believes the minimum wage should provide a livable wage for American workers and their families.

Therefore, Congressman Kanjorski has regularly supported increasing the federal minimum wage since the previous time it rose to $5.15 per hour on September 1, 1997. He was a proud cosponsor of legislation to increase the minimum wage in each Congress since 1999 and recently voted for its passage in the House of Representatives.

During the 110th Congress, Congressman Kanjorski once again helped to introduce legislation known as the Fair Minimum Wage Act to incrementally raise the minimum wage from $5.15 to $7.25 an hour. Because it will benefit millions of Americans and their families, this important legislation was one of the first bills considered by the new Democratic majority in the Congress.

This legislation was signed into law on May 25, 2007.

Ensuring Fair Competition:

Congressman Kanjorski fully believes that American workers, and especially those in Northeastern Pennsylvania, are the best, most productive and most innovative workers in the world. In a fair competition, these workers will come out on top each and every time. Unfortunately, fair competition is sometimes in short supply these days.

As such, Congressman Kanjorski is proud cosponsor of the Decent Working Conditions and Fair Competition Act. This legislation would work to ensure fair competition in U.S. markets by making it unlawful for other countries to send goods into the U.S. that were manufactured in a sweatshop.

Ensuring Fair Pay:

Congressman Kanjorski is very concerned about wage discrimination against women in the workforce. The unfortunate fact remains that women as a group are paid less than men. In 2003, for example, women with a strong commitment to the work force earned about 76 to 79 cents for every dollar earned by men.

As such, Congressman Kanjorski voted in favor of legislation to increase penalties for employers who pay different wages to men and women for "equal work," (Paycheck Fairness Act) and to clarify that pay discrimination occurs each time an employer issues a paycheck that purposefully discriminates against women in the workforce (Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act).

Congressman Kanjorski is proud cosponsor of the Paycheck Fairness Act. He voted in favor of the Paycheck Fairness Act when the House passed it on July 31, 2008, by a vote of 247 to 178.

Congressman Kanjorski voted in favor of the Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act when the House passed it on July 31, 2007, by a vote of 225 to 199.

Labor Ratings:

Congressman Kanjorski is currently rated at:

94% Lifetime by the AFL-CIO;

93% for the 110th Congress by the United Auto Workers (UAW);

95% Lifetime by the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW);

100% by the Service Employees International Union (SEIU); and

90% (2006) by the American Federation of Government Employees (AFGE).