Not lost on the major job action that involved 45,000 Union-Represented Verizon Communications Workers during a just-ended 14-day Strike was the great amount of community support both the CWA (Communications Workers of America) and the IBEW (International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers) received while walking the picket line.

With the growing and escalating attack on Workers’ Rights and Collective Bargaining that began in Wisconsin and has now grown to more than 20 individual States across the U.S., there seems a softening of opinion when it comes to those who belong in a Union. 

Poll after poll whose results have been made public over the past several months show more and more Working People – across the board – are truly beginning to understand what this battle is all about.  They too are beginning to realize that they too are in what has been described by many as Class Warfare, a literal economic fight to the end between the so-called Haves and the Have Nots, of which there are many more out there.

Oh, of course there are still some of those ill-informed Have Nots out there too who continue to spit verbal venom, when given the opportunity, at those who enjoy the benefits of Working Union - but who unlike those striking Verizon Workers, stood up for themselves, said “no” and in the process made a very hard, personal and financial decision to walk a picket line for what they believed in and had fought so hard for over the past 50 years.

But what many might not have realized was the amount of support that came from what I prefer to describe as Non-Represented Workers, aka Non-Union Workers.  In fact, one of them, by the name of Dave Greenberg, took the time on August 16th to voice his personal comments and send them to WNYLaborToday.com after one of the many stories Your Regional, On-Line Labor Newspaper published on the CWA/IBEW-Verizon Strike:

I'm not a member of any Union, nor have I ever been a member of any Union.  But every day I drive by the picket line on Millersport Highway and give a "toot-toot" of my horn and a big thumbs up to the men and women of the line.  I know, in the core of my soul the debt American Workers owe to the Labor Movement.  The right to Collectively Bargain is denied to many of us who are not Unionized and we suffer badly.  "Bravo" to all of you for keeping the good fight alive for the sake of elevating all of us.  And you know, when I toot that horn and give that thumbs up, I relish the smiles on the faces of the line-walkers, who return with a big wave and a thumbs up of their own.  I pray that more like me who don't enjoy the benefit of a contract or pension begin to "get it" - and that we all see a resurgence of the American Labor Movement.

Greenberg, I believe, is just one of many Non-Represented Workers who feel the same way, but for one reason or another choose not to publicly voice their opinion on the matter. 

And Greenberg is definitely one of the many out there who fall into the category of Working Stiffs and whose life has been bettered by his Union Brothers and Sisters, even though he himself does not count himself as a Union Member.

With this escalating attack on what is literally left of the Middle Class, the Working Poor and Union Workers alike, I believe many Non-Represented Workers out there are finally coming to the same realization that Greenberg spelled out in his reaction to the story on the CWA/IBEW-Verizon Strike that WNYLaborToday.com published.  And I believe more and more Non-Represented Workers are starting to get it too after watching some of what’s gone across this country and how Working People from all walks of life and ethnic backgrounds are now coming together – both Union and non – to fight against those who are looking to ground the Middle Class into the carpet.

But, as CWA Local 1122 President James Wagner recently asked after it was announced that the striking Verizon Employees would be heading back to their jobs as negotiations on a new contract resumed: “What with the Labor Movement do with this latest victory that has Union Members reinvigorated?”   

For starters, how about a renewed and stepped-up educational and enlistment campaign targeting the Non-Represented Worker?  That just might top anyone’s wish list. 

On that note, did you know the National AFL-CIO’s affiliate, Working America, signed up 20,000 Non-Represented Workers by going door-to-door in Madison, Wisconsin after Republican Governor Scott Walker fired the first round on the attack on Workers’ Rights? 

The 20,000 were not members of any Union.  They were Working People, many knowing that Organized Labor is their last line of defense - the last firewall, if you will - between the Haves having their way and eradicating the opportunity for so many to achieve their American Dream. 

And you just know that there has to be millions more Greenbergs out there who share the same thoughts and appreciation for what Unionized Labor has done for all Working People. 

It’s an amazing vein of additional support that Labor desperately needs to mine - and do so now - so many of those who currently hold Public Office and who are either leading or involved in the attack on Workers’ Rights are shown the door in a couple of months when the November Election rolls around.

And it’s not just the Verizon Strike that has more Working People thinking.

Take for example last week’s announcement that nearly 100 Workers at American Axle’s Cheektowaga Plant will lose their jobs when the company’s current contract with the United Auto Workers (UAW) runs out in February.  WIVB-TV/Channel 4 interviewed UAW Region 9’s Ed McGowan, who said: "This came as a result of the company forgoing negotiations and abandoning any attempts to keep the facility alive here in Western New York."  A company spokesperson told Channel 4 that “it was necessary” and the demand for the truck gear parts made at the Suburban Buffalo Plant had declined.  But McGowan told Channel 4: "The objective is based in their own mind."  Art Wheaton of the Cornell University School of Industrial & Labor Relations, who made mention of the fact that American Axle’s profits actually doubled last year, told WIVB-TV: "So they’re making more money and asking their Workers to dramatically reduce their benefits and wages.  From where I sit, and I'm not part of the negotiations, American Axel is comparing their wages in China and Mexico and forcing American Axel Workers to accept dramatically lower wages, saying we can get it cheaper in other countries."  

And it got even worse last week when a group of 400 foreign students on a State Department Cultural Exchange Visa Program walked off their factory jobs in protest.  According to The New York Times, the J-1 Visa Program brings foreign students to the country to work for two months and learn English and was designed in part to fill seasonal tourism jobs at resorts and seaside towns.  The 400 students employed at a Pennsylvania factory that makes Hershey's candies told The Times that even though they make $8.35 an hour, their rent and program fees are deducted from their paychecks - leaving them with less money than they spent to get the visas and travel to the country in the first place.  Some of the students were assigned night shifts and said they were pressured to work faster and faster on the factory lines.  Hershey's said they didn't hire the students when The Times asked.  A spokesman for Hershey's said the chocolate company did not directly operate the packing plant, which is managed by a company called Exel.  An Exel spokeswoman said her company found the student workers through another staffing company.  Last December, the Associated Press revealed Federal Immigration Officials were investigating two human-trafficking abuse cases related to J-1 Visas.  Strip clubs openly solicited J-1 Visa Holders in job listings, and some foreign students told the AP they were forced into sexual slavery when their passports were confiscated by a ring of criminals.  About 150,000 J-1 Visas were given out in 2008.  

Interestingly enough, the report also said businesses save about 8% by using a Foreign Worker because of Social Security and other taxes they do not have to pay.

Perusing the Internet, WNYLaborToday.com noticed this comment on the Hershey story from Facebook Friend Richard Wagner: “Just when you thought greed and corruption hit an all-time low. After reading this, I think I'll quit eating Hersey Chocolate products.  Those of you that know me know that I like my food, so this must be real important.”

And then there was this story from the National AFL-CIO, which was headlined: Working People Overwhelmingly Support New Election Standards.  It reported: At the deadline for public comment for a new election standard rule proposed by the NLRB, the AFL-CIO is submitting more than 21,000 comments on behalf of Working People from across the country.  The proposed rule provides a path to help ensure that Workers who want to vote to have a Union have a fair choice.  The rule, which experts agree is a modest step to remove roadblocks and reduce costly litigation, has fallen under a torrent of politically-motivated attacks.  In stark contrast, the voices of Working People nationwide expressed through the comments demonstrate the critical need for fairness and balance in labor laws. Here are excerpts of the comments submitted: From Philip in Colorado: "I fully support and applaud your actions in cleaning up the rights of American Workers to Collectively Bargain for compensatory pay and benefits. Corporations consciously ignore the very foundation of their success which is the Workers.  I only wish that laws could be in place to protect every Worker, whether they’re Union or not. You can count on my support;” Said Iris from New York: "I’m writing in support of Workers' Rights to form and join Unions if they so wish.  How many years of fighting, sweating, suffering and protesting went into assuring Workers had this right?  A right I consider imperative and non-negotiable.  As a Working Person, I support your proposed rule to help level the playing field so workers can make their own choice about whether to form a Union;" And finally this one from Gary in Wisconsin: "This year we have seen unprecedented State-level attacks on Working Families and the worst economy for Working People since the Great Depression.  I welcome your rule to improve the process for Working People trying to form Unions.  Please continue to protect the path Unions provide for so many Working Families to good jobs, the Middle Class ‘and’ the ‘American Dream.’"

I really do believe that Dave Greenberg, Richard Wagner, Philip in Colorado, Iris in New York and Gary in Wisconsin are only the tip of the iceberg.  Regardless of whether they Work Union or are not represented in their workplace, all need to be brought together to help fight the battle pitting the Haves against the Have Nots.  Organized Labor needs to reach out to them as soon as possible if the war is to be won - and the sooner the better.