Biden's message for labor: We're on your side

Protecting collective bargaining rights was the primary message of the Labor Day festivities in Detroit on Monday, both in the annual parade which attracted tens of thousands of union members and during a speech by Vice President Joe Biden.

“They don’t believe in your very right to bargain,” Biden told the crowd of about 3,500 people standing next to the Westin Book Cadillac Hotel in downtown Detroit.”These guys don’t get it. Right to work means the right to work for less. As long as we’re here, it will not happen.”

Twenty-three states have right to work laws, which prohibit unions from forcing employees to join or pay dues. Biden’s speech was a tribute to the workers who stayed after the parade to hear him speak.

“Before the sacrifices you made, the UAW made, but for all those sacrifices, all the GM plants would have been closed,” Biden said, noting the addition of shifts at Chrysler and GM plants in metro Detroit. “You’re the reason the auto plants are back. You sacrificed to keep your companies open.”

http://www.battlecreekenquirer.com/article/20120903/NEWS01/309030018/Biden-s-message-labor-We-re-your-side