Now that post-election reality is setting in, our consideration turns to what the next four years look like for the workers of America. While having a decent job and being able to support one’s family is still a matter of concern for so many Americans, its importance paled in comparison to the “moral values” which appear to have driven the results in several states, including Ohio, where a large number of jobs have been lost. (See New York Times article.) It is clear that workplace advocates must do more, both in defining the ability to make a decent living as a moral imperative, and in remaining vigilant against the continuing onslaught of efforts to erode workplace protections. The new area that Workplace Fairness has added to our website, Short-Changed: America’s Workers Are Giving More and Getting Less, will be a key contribution to that effort.
This area offers a comprehensive look at many of the most important workplace rights issues today, including the growing income gap, the crisis in healthcare and retirement benefits, the imbalance between work and family, and a justice system that is closing its doors on the American worker. Here are the topics we cover in more detail in Short-Changed:
- Help Wanted (jobs)
- Profits Before People (income gap)
- Critical Condition (healthcare)
- Broken Promises (retirement)
- Nobody Home (work & family)
- Hidden Barriers (discrimination)
- In Harm’s Way (health & safety)
- No More Secrets (privacy)
- Hidden America: (undocumented workers)
- Divide and Conquer (unions)
- Here Today, Gone Tomorrow (legal protections)
- Case Closed (court access)
Each issue area is designed to build awareness of the need for change, with resources for further information and action. Short-Changed already has a wealth of information and it’s going to get better and better as we add new features such as multimedia presentations of real life stories. We also hope that you will help us build Short-Changed. As you see good resources–books, articles, statistics, and even cartoons—that are relevant to the twelve topics contained in Short-Changed, please submit them to us at shortchanged@workplacefairness.org. (Or just tell us what you think about Short-Changed at the same address.) That way, we can keep Short-Changed chock full of the latest and greatest resources out there (which we intend to do anyway, but we need your help.)
After reading Short-Changed, you’ll see that the evidence that the vast majority of Americans are giving more and getting less from their jobs isn’t just clear, it’s overwhelming. See it for yourself, and tell everyone who cares about workplace fairness to check out Short-Changed at www.workplacefairness.org/sc. Together we can help turn the tide for the working people of America!
