American Rights at Work

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American Rights at Work (ARW) is a U.S.-based group which describes its vision as "a nation where the freedom of workers to organize unions and bargain collectively with employers is guaranteed and promoted." [1]

ARW is a member of the Business Ethics Network and profiled in the WiserEarth database here.

What they do

According to their website, they:

  • Build coalitions, perform research, public relations, policy analysis, and advocacy
  • Investigate and expose workers' rights abuses and the inadequacy of U.S. labor law
  • Stimulate debate about the state of workers' rights among journalists, policymakers, advocacy groups, and the public
  • Promote public policy that protects workers from hostile employers and weak laws that impede their rights to form unions and collectively bargain
  • Publicize success stories of profitable companies and public agencies that respect workers' rights and build innovative partnerships with unions[1]

Resources they use

  • Publications: they produce reports, case studies, issue briefs, and educational materials based on research
  • Workers' Rights Clearinghouse: their national database features cases of workers whose rights have been violated during union organizing campaigns or contract negotiations with employers
  • Workers' Rights Watch: Eye on the NLRB: This feature monitors and analyzes decisions of the National Labor Relations Board
  • Online Advocacy & Resources: website for news, action alerts, and reports for those who want to learn more about the issues or ways to get involved[1]

Countering business-funded campaigns

In 2008, American Rights At Work had an ad campaign showing corporate "fat cats" opposing workers. This was a campaign to promote labor-backed legislation and was to counter business-funded campaigns. Will Evans of NPR writes, "But over the last week, American Rights At Work spent only $235,000 on ads in five key states. That's less than half what the other side — represented by the Employee Freedom Action Committee — spent last week ($563,000). And Employee Freedom has been beating the drum for a month longer." The Employee Freedom Action Committee is a front group established and run by Rick Berman, a Washington DC lobbyist with a history of creating industry-funded front groups.[2]

Lobbying

The group spent $438,000 for lobbying in 2009.[3]

Personnel

Staff:[4]

Board of Directors:[5]

Contact details

1100 17th Street NW, Suite 950
Washington DC 20036
Email: info AT americanrightsatwork.org
Phone: 202-822-2127
Fax: 202-822-2168
Website: http://www.americanrightsatwork.org

Resources

Related SourceWatch articles

References

  1. 1.0 1.1 1.2 American Rights at Work, "About Us: American Rights at Work: Advancing Democracy in the American Workplace", accessed December 2007.
  2. Will Evans, "Labor-Funded Group Targets Republican Senators", NPR, September 9, 2008.
  3. American Rights at Work lobbying expenses, Open Secrets, accessed November 2010.
  4. Staff, American Rights at Work, accessed November 2010.
  5. Board of Directors, American Rights at Work, accessed November 2010.

External articles