Amendment offers foundational rights

There seems to be some confusion and misinformation about Amendment 1 proposed for the Illinois constitution that is on the ballot for the Nov. 8, 2022 election. The simple 190-word amendment guarantees that "employees shall have the fundamental right to organize and to bargain collectively through representatives of their own choosing for the purpose of negotiating wages, hours and working conditions and to protect their economic welfare and safety at work."

It also prohibits laws that are designed to curb these rights, such as the so called "right to work laws," which are designed to kill unions. The rights guaranteed by Amendment 1 are foundational for much of the Illinois workforce to be respected, fairly paid, safe and happy.

This amendment was passed by the Illinois State Senate by a vote of 49 to 7. It is a simple law that can guarantees labor and unions survive in Illinois.

Most large corporations and business are against this amendment. They prefer to pay workers the minimum amount necessary to hire workers in the job market. They do not like unions since it means workers can negotiate wages and working conditions. But they can't say this, so they have decided to go with double-talk misinformation and say the amendment will raise taxes.

But it is a hard sell to say let's keep wages low so taxes are low. CEO pay has grown about 20 times faster than worker pay, corporate profits are high and workers are struggling to keep up. We need to allow labor the right to organize to promote a middle class. Wages are higher and income disparity is lower in states with larger union membership.

If you support worker well being and growing the middle class, please vote YES for Amendment 1.

Jordan Maclay

St. Charles