Fun Being Frugal

I want to take a minute to share something with you that I am passionate about. I have spent the last several years committed to addressing this issue that until 4yrs ago I took for granted. Just a few reasons why unions are good for employees:

# 1 – Working together, union members have the strength to win better wages, affordable health care, a secure retirement, and safer workplaces.

# 2 – The "union advantage" is substantial. According to the U.S. Department of Labor, union members are much more likely to have health benefits and pensions.

# 3 – For people of color and women workers, the union impact is even greater. Women workers who are union members earn nearly $9,000 a year more than their non-union counterparts. For African-American workers, the union differential is also about $9,000, and for Latino workers the yearly advantage is more than $11,000.

# 4 – In addition to helping workers win better wages and benefits, unions help all workers by giving working families a stronger voice in our communities, in the political arena, and in the global economy.

# 5 – By joining together, we can build the strength to hold elected officials accountable, stop the "race to the bottom" by employers who cut wages and benefits in favor of bigger profits, and win improvements such as affordable, quality health care for all.

I hope to see changes in my workplace and am doing everything I can to make them happen. Until then, I can help others by keeping informed on work related issues and making my voice heard. You can do this also....

Please act now to urge Congress to extend unemployment help for jobless workers whose benefits are running out.

It is urgent that you take action now.Unemployment just took its biggest jump in 22 years, and the number of jobless workers who can't find work is at historic levels. Millions of jobless workers will run out of unemployment insurance benefits this year. And for every two job seekers, only one job is available.

But President Bush is so committed to his failed economic policies that he's promised to veto any attempt to extend unemployment insurance benefits for working families on the brink of disaster. Believe it or not, here's his policy: "Increasing and extending unemployment insurance benefits when unemployment is this low would be unprecedented and counterproductive because it would reduce the incentive for workers to find new employment."Talk about out of touch!

With soaring gas, food and health care costs, even a short period of unemployment can devastate a working family. But the worse this economy gets, the longer it's taking people to find jobs. And working families are suffering.

The U.S. House is expected to vote today or tomorrow on extending unemployment insurance benefits for jobless workers by 13 weeks nationwide and by an additional 13 weeks in high-unemployment states—a move that will benefit 3.8 million workers overall.

Congress must hear your voice. Tell your representative NOW to extend help for jobless workers.