On this Labor Day episode of Get with the Times, we dig into the history of labor unions, how labor regulation laws were established in the U.S., and the recent decision from Viscofan to unilaterally withdraw recognition of their union contracts. We hear from Connie Smalley, a former Viscofan employee and member of UFCW Local 700, and Rachelle Netzer, Midwest Regional Director of UFCW — The United Food and Commercial Workers International Union.

Topics discussed include:

• The history of labor regulation laws and how unionized strikes helped pressure the federal government to pass them
• Common misunderstandings about labor unions
• "Right to Work" as a propaganda misnomer
• Viscofan's history of labor law violations and Unsafe Labor Practices (ULPs), and its ongoing case with the National Labor Regulations Board (NLRB).
• Connie Smalley and Victor Nahara's stories of their experience with Viscofan
• Ways people can establish unions at their workplaces, or help keep current unions going