Americans need ‘A Better Deal,’ strong unions to get ahead in rigged economy

WASHINGTON - Senate and House Democrats today unveiled one of the critical tenets of their economic agenda, “A Better Deal” that would work to strengthen labor unions, which help to ensure a stronger, more robust economy that works for all Americans — not just those at the top. The Democrats’ Better Deal proposal comes special interests are looking to roll back worker protections in order to maximize corporate profits.

NEA President Lily Eskelsen García was on hand for the unveiling of the eight-point plan by congressional Democrats at the U.S. Capitol in Washington. The following statement can be attributed to her:

“The National Education Association applauds ‘A Better Deal’ unveiled today by members of Congress because the plan understands that strong unions are the best and surest way for working Americans to get ahead in an economy that’s rigged in favor of the wealthy and the powerful elite. As unions succeed, families and communities prosper.

“My union provided me with the clearest path to the middle class as a woman, a Latina, a daughter of an immigrant and a grand-daughter of a sharecropper. For educators, a union also gives us the freedom to advocate for the resources and tools that we know our students need to be successful — whether that’s smaller class sizes or guaranteed recess.”