In Mr Bu$h’s streamlined 21st century America unions are painted as “ooohhhh - scary!” and it’s probably worth understanding that the American Labor movement has been the backbone of democracy and freedom for more than 100 years. Are you an hourly employee? Do you get time-and-a-half for overtime? Double time-and-a-half on holidays? Union organizers bled and died to secure that right for you. Do you get paid vacations? Union members got that for you, too. Sick pay? Ditto.

Unions don’t drive up the cost of goods and services; they fight to ensure that corporations and companies enjoying 35% profits each year don’t pay it all to the CEO. Unions originated the idea of “trickle down” and for them it was valid and not a bullshit slogan for Republicans to stick their hands in your pocket and make sure you can’t afford to buy a second pair of shoes for your child.

AFSCME put together a video explaining just what they do in language that even a broke down old sergeant understands.