Day 96: Workforce Support

With Mental Health Awareness Month approaching at the close of his first 100 days, President Joe Biden issues an executive order to send in reinforcements for the American workforce. The order establishes a task force led by Vice President Kamala Harris with the goal of providing recommendations for existing and new policies, programs and practices that support organizing and collective bargaining.

“In the past few decades, the Federal Government has not used its full authority to promote and implement this policy,” Biden said via statement, referring to The National Labor Relations Act of 1935. “…The result has been a steady decline in union density in the United States and the loss of worker power and voice in workplaces and communities across the country.”

He said the decline of union membership has weakened and shrunk the middle class. Unionized workers earn nearly 13 percent more than non-unionized workers.

The task force, comprised of more than 20 cabinet members and heads of federal agencies who have “powerful levers,” has approximately six months to develop their findings, according to a White House fact sheet. Their focus includes a review of tax policies and empowering marginalized workers in changing and hard-to-organize industries and in areas of the country with “hostile labor laws.”

The move comes after the Senate removed Biden’s $15 minimum wage recommendation in thee American Rescue Plan package passed earlier this year. He’s called on all employers to cover time off for vaccines, at least.

Earlier this month, Amazon’s internal battle leaked onto social media with a report that drivers had to urinate in bottles.

“I thank President Biden for creating this task force to address the urgent need of millions of American workers unable to exercise their right to join a union today because of artificial legal barriers and rampant union busting,” American Federation of Government Employees National President Everett Kelley said.

“With today’s action, he is continuing to deliver on his campaign promise to be the most pro-union, pro-worker president ever. Making it easier for workers to join a union will help more Americans share in the better wages, benefits, and working conditions that come with union membership – growing our economy from the bottom up and the middle out.”

Biden seems to be an expert on employment with 53 percent of Americans approving of his performance thus far.