Denise Bowyer
As we approach the upcoming election, it’s hard to shake the anxiety that is surfaced when the loudest voices on both ends of the political spectrum are bombarding us with hyperbolic messages about how the other will ruin our country and the democracy that we’ve built. On this Labor Day weekend, let’s draw from the lessons labor unions have taught us about how we must take an active role in preserving our democracy.
Labor unions play a crucial role in promoting democracy at the workplace by giving workers a collective voice and bargaining power. Through the formation of unions, workers democratically elect representatives to negotiate with employers on their behalf, ensuring fair wages, benefits, and working conditions. This intersection between labor unions and democracy empowers workers to have a say in decision-making processes and hold employers accountable for their actions. Because of these benefits and building power locally, in 2023 more than 60 million workers wanted to join a union but couldn’t do so, according to the Economic Policy Institute.
The November 2024 election is an opportunity to practice democracy — and voting is the first step in protecting our democratic principles and the broader democratic values essential for a fair and just society. While voting is first, we can’t stop there. Strengthening our democracy means practicing the leadership skills taught by organized labor, community organizations like Omaha Together One Community, and its sister organization, The Institute for Public Leadership every day. When everyday citizens or workers play a role in identifying and organizing for the changes that will improve their lives and workplace, we create a more perfect union. Democracy starts with ensuring that everyone has a voice at the table.
To ensure that everyone not only has a seat, but takes their seat at the table, we must commit ourselves to the work of enhancing and rebuilding our democratic institutions. Strengthening our local institutions will require us to look beyond our normal bubbles, identify our common and often ignored interests, and build power through relationships that unite rather than divide. We must have thriving institutions like labor unions and OTOC that identify future leaders, teach them the skills of organizing, and create opportunities to act together.
We see Nebraskan families of all shapes and sizes struggling with the costs of housing and childcare. Our schools, hospitals, farms, and businesses are struggling with staffing shortages. Civic and faith-based organizations continue to shrink, and too many fellow citizens — especially the young — are alone, hopeless or cynical. Even our nonpartisan unicameral legislature has been undermined by divisive partisan politics. So how can we bring new life to our democracy?
For part of the answer, we can look to the Nebraska Capitol where it says, “the salvation of the state is watchfulness in the citizen.” We believe that Nebraska’s labor unions and broad-based organizations like OTOC and the IPL can help lead the way in forming active, watchful citizens who participate in democracy every day. Organizing, building, and rebuilding local institutions through the ongoing identification and development of everyday people, especially our youth, will help ensure that all of us have a place at the table.
This November’s election will have a great impact on many issues critical to our diverse constituencies, including a ballot initiative that will be up to the watchful citizens to pass! The Paid Sick Leave for Nebraskans Ballot Initiative ensures that all employers provide their most valuable commodity, their employees, with paid time off to care for themselves or a family member when ill without fear of retaliation. Paid Sick Leave for Nebraskans results in cost savings for businesses from greater workforce stability, increased productivity, and lower healthcare costs. This is why over 138,000 Nebraskans signed to get this initiative on the ballot and organizations like OTOC, the Nebraska State AFL-CIO, and businesses across the state support this initiative.
Taking a lesson from our brothers and sisters in the labor movement, democracy begins at the ballot box and is protected by the solidarity of institutions and people, organizing together for the common good.
Denise Bowyer is a retired vice president of American Income Life Insurance company, a 100% union company. She is a local leader with Omaha Together One Community.
Bill Arfmann is a retired union organizer, lives in Malcolm, NE, and serves on the The Institute for Public Leadership board, which is looking for and training a younger generation of Nebraskan citizen leaders and organizers.
Sue Martin is the president and secretary-treasurer of the Nebraska State AFL-CIO and has served in this capacity since 2015, when she was elected as the first female president.
Published 9/1/2024 by Omaha World Herald
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