Tell Corporate CEOs: Stop Standing in the Way of an Economy That Works for Everyone

We've just returned from Lafayette Park - right across the street from both The White House and the Chamber of Commerce - where hundreds of workers from across the country joined with labor, religious and community leaders to stage one amazing rally.

After five separate actions in front of places like Burger King, Bank of America, and the headquarters for the hotel and restaurant trade association, we coalesced together near the Chamber of Commerce, where we participated in some crowd-pleasing skits and heard stories from members, along with a brief word from SEIU President Andy Stern.

Why try to get the attention of these organizations? We took a look at their lobbying disclosures and found that the Chamber of Commerce and the leading associations for the restaurant, hotel, manufacturing, retail, and financial industries spent a combined $138.4 million on federal lobbying last year, hired 44 lobbying firms, and used at least 34 different front groups to push their agenda.

And, for the Chamber specifically, in the last ten years, they've spent $375 million to advance the interests of big business over those of small businesses and working families.

"So they might be a big and mighty lobbying machine--but guess what, when I asked their top officer Tom Donohue to debate me on employee free choice - he declined," said Andy Stern during the event. "It's not surprising they don't want to face us in public... how could they defend what they're doing?"

While the median hourly wage for workers in most industries is at or below the federal poverty line for a family of four, a look at 2007 CEO pay at leading firms in the trade groups found executive compensation ranging from $2 million up to $67 million. All opposed the Employee Free Choice Act, which is supported by 73 percent of Americans according to national surveys, and most also fought minimum wage increases and pushed restrictions on family and medical leave.

Tomorrow, the workers that participated in today's events (including more than 300 SEIU grassroots member lobbyists) have another full, exciting day ahead of them: discuss the importance of the Employee Free Choice Act. They're going meet with their Senators and Representatives to share their stories about being fired, intimidated, and harassed by their employers for trying to form a union. The Committee will also hear from allies and experts about how increased union membership helps communities and the nation's economy.