A strong economy begins with strong workers. For too long, wages have lagged behind productivity, unions have been weakened, and workplace protections have eroded. While corporate profits soar, many working families struggle to afford housing, healthcare, and childcare. Restoring balance in our economy means restoring power to the people who actually create its wealth.

Protecting the right to unionize is central to that effort. Collective bargaining gives workers a real voice on the job, the ability to negotiate fair wages, better benefits, and safe working conditions. When unions are strong, wages rise not only for union members but across entire industries. Workers should be free to organize without intimidation, retaliation, or endless legal obstacles designed to silence them.

Raising the minimum wage to a living wage is another essential step. No one who works full time should live in poverty. The federal minimum wage has failed to keep pace with the cost of living, leaving millions behind. Updating it to reflect today’s economic reality would lift families, reduce reliance on public assistance, and strengthen local economies.

Workplace safety must also be a priority. Every worker deserves to return home safe at the end of the day. That means enforcing labor standards, holding corporations accountable for violations, and protecting whistleblowers who speak up about unsafe conditions.

Workers’ rights are not a special interest. They are the foundation of a fair society. By defending unions, raising wages, and ensuring safe and dignified workplaces, we can build an economy that values labor as much as capital and puts working families first.