WORKERS’ RIGHTS I have always felt that it was important that everyone
who was a worker join a labor organization.
IBEW Strike, 1941
I believe you should tell the story of injustices, of inequalities,
of bad conditions, so that the people as a whole in this country
really face the problems that people who are pushed to the
point of striking know all about, but others know practically
nothing about.
CIO Convention, 1943
The unionization of domestic workers will be salutary
for both the employer and the employee.
"My Day," 1946
Eleanor Roosevelt explained that the United States delegation
considered that the right to form and join trade unions was
an essential element of freedom…trade unions had met
with much opposition…the struggle was, in fact, still
continuing…
UN Summary Document, 1948
You in the unions do not yet represent all of labor. But
I hope some day you will, because I believe that it is through
strength, through the fact that people who know what people
need are working to make this country a better place for all
people, that we will help the world to accept our leadership
and understand that, under our form of government and through
our way of life, we have something to offer them…
ACWA Convention, 1956
I am opposed to ‘right to work’ legislation
because it does nothing for working people, but instead gives
employers
the right to exploit labor.
American Federationist, 1959
The labor movement has a great role to play in our country
today.
AFL-CIO Convention, 1961
HUMAN RIGHTS
I think it very valuable that such groups as the American
Federation of Labor are taking an active interest in the achievement
of human rights throughout the world…and one of the things
I hope will evolve from any bill of this kind is the right
of people to economic as well as political freedom.
"My Day,"
1947
One should never belittle the value of words, however, for
they have a way of getting translated into facts, and therein lies the hope for our universal declaration.
"My Day," 1948
Where, after all, do universal human rights begin? In
small places, close to home…the factory, farm or office where
he works…unless these rights have meaning there, they
have little meaning anywhere.
United Nations Remarks, 1953
CITIZENSHIP
One of the most harmful things in our national life is
that our voting statistics on election day are so bad…
IUE
Convention, 1951
We must really participate. We can’t just talk. We have
got to act…And we must see improvement for masses of
people, not for the little group on top.
CIO Convention, 1954
Prepare your representatives…In a democracy not only
government is responsible but people are responsible for what
happens in their own land and through their leadership in the
world.
UAW Convention, 1957
EDUCATION
We don't get things unless we plan for them, unless we organize
for them and work for them, and I think perhaps we have not
worked enough on education.
CIO Convention, 1943
This particular phase of adult education [workers’ education]
is most important to democracy…in employer and employee
relations and in international understanding it will mean a
great step toward reasonable and peaceful settlement of many
disputes.
"My Day," 1938
We have to realize that it is not our educational system
alone that counts, but educational systems in all the countries
of
the world…Good education costs money; people do not like
taxes, and sometimes the political leaders see no connection
between education and future prosperity.
National Education Association Convention, 1938
GLOBALIZATION
The miners are out of work…Their problem is much more
than a mining problem—it concerns the standards of living
not only for themselves but in other parts of the world.
White House Press Conference, 1933
That is the only road to peace—an economic program that
takes into consideration the world as a whole.
CIO Convention, 1943
World economic cooperation is the first and biggest step…you
have to have real labor management committees…concerned
with the world picture…
White House Press Conference, 1944
WOMEN
Only where they are organized do women get equal pay for equal
work.
White House Press Conference, 1933
If a woman wants to work and keep her home, let me ask you,
Mr. Man, to help her and not hold her back.
It’s Up To The Women, 1933
I have a firm belief in the ability and power of women
to achieve the things they want to achieve.
Liberty, 1941
As each future conference of the nations meets, women should
be among the delegates, no matter what the subject under discussion.
American Federationist, 1944
In numbers there is strength, and we in America must help
the women of the world.
"My Day," 1946
The dignity of women’s equality when they meet in
government, professional and industrial work is important
the world over,
not just in the U.S.
"My Day," 1962
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