In an unusual Saturday session on November 7, the U.S. House of Representatives passed sweeping healthcare reform legislation by a narrow 220-215 margin. One Republican supported the bill, and a total of 39 Democrats voted to oppose it.
Delegates to UE's 71st Convention in September discussed and approved a resolution entitled, “Independent Rank-and-File Political Action.” The resolution praised last year’s popular upsurge that ended Republican rule and elected Barack Obama, but urged President Obama to fight more forcefully for real healthcare reform and labor law reform, and to stand up against the obstructionist tactics of both Republicans and pro-corporate “Blue Dog” Democrats. It also called for continued and increased mobilization of UE members to fight for the legislative changes we need.
Washington, D.C.
Washington, D.C.
Washington, D.C.
The Congressional push for real healthcare and labor law reform is heating up, and not a moment too soon. As expected, however, the corporate news media reporting leaves much to be desired. The following is a brief review of some of the recent developments in the ongoing battle to reform our healthcare system as well as restore the right to join a union.
The United Electrical, Radio and Machine Workers of America (UE) strongly condemns the illegal coup by the Honduran military on June 28 in which democratically-elected President Manuel Zelaya was kidnapped and forcibly taken to Costa Rica. We totally reject the claim that such action was in any way justified by the popular consultation regarding constitutional reform.
The Congressional push for healthcare reform is now picking up speed, and the stakes could not be higher for working people. Our current hodgepodge system of health insurance is grossly overpriced, full of loopholes crafted by the insurance companies so they can refuse to pay claims, and fails completely to cover almost 50 million people. It's time to give this failed and costly system the heave-ho and replace it with a single-payer system.
As UE members look forward to the start of the summer season there are two political action battles underway which require immediate action on our part. Legislation to restore the right to organize as well as tackling the healthcare crisis are beginning to move through Congress, and lawmakers need to hear from you. Let’s take a look at each of these issues, as well as the actions needed on our part to ensure that we make the kind of progress that is so urgently needed on both fronts.
Meeting at the union’s national headquarters in Pittsburgh on May 14-15, UE’s General Executive Board discussed the national debate on healthcare and the reform proposals now being considered by Congress and the Obama administration. The union’s national leadership board adopted the following statement on healthcare reform:
STATEMENT ON HEALTHCARE REFORM