Speaker after speaker at the Maritime Trade Department's 2009 Convention made the following point: the right of workers to form unions and bargain collectively is an internationally recognized right that is essential to a free and democratic society. Unfortunately, sweeping changes in the international economic system, unfair management practices and loopholes in existing labor laws are threatening that right in the United States. While research shows that nearly 60 million U.S. workers would vote to form a union, many aren't given that chance. The House in the two previous Congresses passed a bill that would correct this situation. Known as the Employee Free Choice Act (EFCA), it would require all employers to abide by card-check recognition when more than 50 percent of the workers sign for union representation, provide for mediation in first contract situations and impose stiffer penalties on employers who violate their employees' right to organize. But the full Senate has yet to take any action on the bill. People concerned with the plight of workers today should contact their senators in support of meaningful labor law reform. What's more, since working people have borne the brunt of the latest economic crisis, EFCA would make a real difference in the most important ways possible--better wages, better health care benefits and better retirement security. And it would make these changes at a time when workers need them the most.