WHY UNION REPS NEED LAWYERS HANDY

FEDSMILL makes no secret of the fact that we think unions have to reorganize themselves in order to make attorneys more available to local chapter presidents and chief stewards. We even believe that organized labor should start lobbying to require high school students be given a course in labor and employment law. After all, they likely are going to be employees for most of the next 50 years or so of their lives. We know we have readers who disagree with our views and some really, really think our approach is elitist, unworkable, and an insult to workers. To those who disagree, we will only suggest that they review the list of labor and employment laws that apply to most worksites today. Below are 75 primarily federal statutes that give employees enforceable rights that unions should be prepared to enforce for them. Our thanks to the web site EmployeeIssues (EI) which developed this list and entered the comments on all but the first statute. Check out their site when you get a chance.