An agenda to rewrite the economic rules so every person and every family in our country has an opportunity to realize the American dream.

Last year, millions of Americans mobilized and called out for an economy that works for all of us. We elected advocates--including more than 900 union members--to public office. We elected them because they are committed to correct the structural wrongs of our economy. We changed the rulemakers; now, it's time to change the rules.

Working people want to go to work to good jobs, with fair pay and good benefits, and where we are free to negotiate for better wages, safer workplaces and fairer treatment. We want a fundamental right to health care and a secure retirement. We want fair tax and trade policies that actually work for America’s working people. We want comprehensive immigration reform with a path to citizenship. And we want serious investment in our nation’s infrastructure, public education system and the public services that make our communities and country great.

We want our elected leaders to advance legislation that builds a fairer economy and a more just society for everyone.

International trade is a vital part of the modern economy, but it should create jobs and raise wages here in America. For too long, Congress has clung stubbornly to trade rules that create profits at the expense of good jobs, when the two should go hand in hand. Trade deals should improve wages, working conditions and workplace rights for all people, instead of creating a race to the bottom.

Trade deals and trade-related legislation must set high standards for workers’ rights and contain enforceable labor protections. This means eliminating the corporate courts, entitlements and other special privileges for corporations in trade deals. It also means requiring public and congressional input into choice of trade partners, trade objectives and other critical decisions.

Tariffs should be used smartly and strategically to benefit America’s workers, farmers and producers, not as a blunt tool to bully allies.

 

Few things have a greater impact on a child than a quality education. We have a responsibility to ensure every child in America can go to a good public school. Those schools should be safe and have the resources they need, with reasonable class sizes and teachers who are supported.

Beyond K-12, higher education and career training should be widely available and affordable without leaving young people in debt. Skills and career training programs are a vital alternative for young people, and need to be expanded.

Legislators should work to fully fund public K-12 education and reject attempts to privatize the education system through private-school vouchers or voucher-like schemes. And they should work to make college more affordable, protect student borrowers and make debt-free college a reality for students.

 

Our economy works best when corporations act responsibly toward their employees, their customers, the environment and local communities. But too many corporate CEOs choose management strategies for short-term gain that undermine their companies in the long term. Corporations need to invest for long-term sustainable growth, not short-term stock buybacks. Good corporate governance should hold CEOs accountable and limit runaway CEO pay.