Quotes About Advocacy

I am not going to make any commitments to the teachers union to do anything until they do something that's other than in their own self- interest. And everything they have done so far is in their self-interests, and that's it.

Starting that union was something I believed in very strongly.

I went without health insurance until 'Roger & Me,' basically - from about age 20 till about age 35. With 'Roger & Me,' I joined the Directors Guild and the Writers Guild, and since then I've had excellent health care managed by the union.

I come from labor country. My mom was a teacher and was very involved in the teachers' union.

I've made a lifetime commitment to the union movement and to public education.

Gay and lesbian people have families, and their families should have legal protection, whether by marriage or civil union.

I worked at the New York Civil Liberties Union as a starving actor in the early '80s. I was in love with what they were doing.

Then they came for the trade unionists, and I did not speak out - because I was not a trade unionist.

That's what unions do. They can get money, they can get support, they can get manpower.

One of the great things about unions is they're member driven and give us the great ability to both lead and follow at the same time.

Trade unions are a force for good - a force for a more equal society.

Teacher unions are an interest group that acts in defense of their own interests, which means the union bosses' interests, not the members.

I would not go so far as to say that the French trade unions attached greater importance to the struggle for peace than the others did; but they certainly seemed to take it more to heart.

I'm not going to stop beating up on the unions.

Unions should not be lapdogs to a political party, they should be watchdogs for their members' interests.

I certainly support civil unions.

In a democracy, in a functioning democracy, what would be happening is that popular organizations, unions, political groupings, others would be developing their programs, putting them forth, insisting that their representatives implement those programs.

I don't think it's a great leap to go from civil unions to gay marriage - I may be in the minority in believing that.

I'm a big believer in the value of labor unions and with what collective effort gets people.

Many people feel that unions aren't militant enough for them and don't do anything.

I will strengthen our unions and our middle-class families so that no longer will they be pushed around by employers but will finally have a seat at the table.

There's no representation. That's why the NBA Players Association was formed, players' unions were formed. That's why those unions were formed - to have representation before you make rules for me that I have to abide by. How can I participate and how can it be fair if there's no representation?

Teachers' unions don't act in the interest of most teachers.

Getting political representation is important, but change comes through using direct action, campaigning, and trade unions.