This week is Human Rights Week.

In 1948, the United Nations formally established a framework for human rights and declared it an international responsibility. The declaration protects such important human rights as freedom of speech, assembly and religion. The declaration also recognizes that “everyone has the right to form and join trade unions for the protection of his interests.” But today, America isn’t working the way it should for working people.

Just ask those struggling without health care or good job prospects.

Sixty million of America’s workers say they would form a union tomorrow if given the chance. After all, a union card is the single best ticket to the middle class in this nation.

Union workers earn 30 percent more than those who aren’t, and are much more likely to have employer-provided health care and retirement benefits.

Yet, when employees try to exercise their rights to form unions, employers routinely block them, and labor law is helpless to stop it.

The Employee Free Choice Act would give working men and women back this basic right to self-organization and thus give them a real tool in their daily fight to stay out of the ranks of the working poor.

Don R. Berry, Sumner

President, Western Maine Central Labor Council