Police Fire Monopoly Bargaining | The National Right to Work Committee®

The war on jobs and true employee free choice

On September 10, 2011, By NRTW Committee Staff

South Carolina Boeing employee Dennis Murray, a quality assurance inspector, doesn't mince words regarding IAM union bosses' aims: "They're trying to spank us like unruly children, by having all of our jobs taken away." Credit: WCBD-TV (Charleston, S.C.)

From the South Carolina State newspaper, and op-ed by Rep. Ron Paul:

With jobs so hard to come by for many Americans, you would think a private company deciding to create more than 1,000 jobs would be cheered by Republicans and Democrats alike.

But President Obama’s National Labor Relations Board is doing everything it can to stop Boeing from opening a new plant in North Charleston.

And as sad as it may seem, at the heart of the board’s actions is political cronyism at its absolute worst.

Since South Carolina is a right-to-work state, workers at Boeing’s new plant can’t be forced under the threat of losing their jobs to hand over a portion of their hard-earned money to union officials in dues.

The labor board’s attempt to force Boeing to stay in a non-right-to-work state where the union bosses can force workers to pay up or be fired is political payback for their undying support during the last presidential campaign.

If the Obama administration succeeds, it could result in the virtual destruction of right-to-work laws all across the country: No longer could private companies decide for themselves where to move or open new facilities; the government would now take on that responsibility and make decisions based solely on what benefits the big-labor elite. Right-to-work states would be left out in the cold.

According to the National Institute for Labor Relations Research, right-to-work states had more than double the job growth of forced-unionism states over the past decade. In other words, big-labor control over American workers is a drag on our economy.

It was organized labor’s stranglehold that drove the big three automakers to the brink of bankruptcy — until American taxpayers were forced to rescue them. And it’s not just in the private sector. Big labor’s control of government workers in California, Illinois and elsewhere has driven those states to the brink of bankruptcy. (more…)

Congress Nearly Federalized the Mess in Madison

On March 28, 2011, By NRTW Committee Staff

(Source: March 2011 NRTWC Newsletter)

Time For Politicians in Both Parties to Own Up to Their Mistakes

In late February, many concerned Americans in other states were paying close attention to the fierce, and still unresolved, battle over public-sector union monopoly bargaining in Wisconsin.

Many observing the Madison showdown from their homes inwere undoubtedly amazed by what they saw.

These five states, like roughly a dozen others, have no statutes on the books empowering government union officials to act as state and local public employees’ monopoly-bargaining agents.

When elected officials in such states make a judgment that a reform in public-employee compensation packages and work rules is necessary and can be prudently implemented to give taxpayers a better return on their money, they have the power to proceed.

It is then up to the voting public to judge whether the reform was a good idea or not.

In Wisconsin, however, like in other states which statutorily mandate union monopoly bargaining over public employee pay, benefits, and working conditions, elected officials from the governor on down have far less control over the roughly 50% of public expenditures that go into employee compensation.

In the Badger State, half of state and local government employees are unionized. Elected officials and their appointees cannot make any significant changes in the way these employees are compensated or in how they are instructed to do their jobs without government union bosses’ approval.

Today, millions of Americans whose state and local governments operate free from Big Labor constraints appreciate, after watching the bitter struggle in Wisconsin unfold, better than ever before the importance of keeping union monopolists out of the government workplace.

Only Intense Right to Work Lobbying Blocked Monopoly-Bargaining Bill

What most freedom-loving Virginians, North Carolinians and Texans probably don’t realize is that, just last year, the U.S. Congress came within a hair of taking away their prerogative to decide how their state and local government workplaces are run.

At the outset of the 2009-2010 Congress, the votes were there to pass the so-called “Public Safety Employer-Employee Cooperation Act” in both the House and the Senate. Furthermore, President Obama was publicly vowing to sign this legislation as soon as it reached his desk.

This measure, more accurately labeled the “Police/Fire Monopoly-Bargaining Bill,” would have foisted Wisconsin-style labor relations on state and local public-safety departments in all 50 states. (more…)

Right to Work to Capitol Hill: ‘Keep Your Promises’

On January 18, 2011, By NRTW Committee Staff

(Source: January 2011 NRTWC Newsletter)

Former Speakers Newt Gingrich (R-Ga., left) and Dennis Hastert (R-Ill.) both made campaign pledges to support roll-call votes on forced-dues repeal, but blocked action on such legislation when Congress was in session.

Politicians Pledging to Back Right to Work Take Charge of House

Thanks in significant part to the efforts of National Right to Work Committee members across the country, starting this month the U.S. House of Representatives will be led by a speaker and a majority leader who have pledged full support for Americans’ Right to Work without being forced to join or pay dues to a union.

Now Committee members’ job is to make sure Speaker John Boehner (R-Ohio), Majority Leader Eric Cantor (R-Va.), and other members of Congress turn their pro-Right to Work promises into action.

John Boehner, Eric Cantor Owe Leadership Posts to Worker-Freedom Advocates

Mr. Boehner and Mr. Cantor enjoy their top leadership positions in the House in part due to pro-Right to Work Americans’ support for congressional candidates nationwide who had pledged to oppose compulsory unionism.

Millions of pro-Right to Work Americans mobilized against candidates who supported compulsory unionism, or tried to hide their position on freedom in the workplace. These Americans expect Mr. Boehner and Mr. Cantor to lay the foundation for a new federal labor policy respecting each employee’s ability to decide for himself or herself whether or not to join or financially support a union, declared Committee President Mark Mix.

“Poll after poll shows nearly four out of five Americans who regularly vote support the Right to Work,” explained Mr. Mix.

“When these citizens helped John Boehner and Eric Cantor become the new House leaders, they sent an unmistakable message to Capitol Hill — roll back Organized Labor’s compulsory-unionism privileges.”

In the 2010 elections, voters firmly rejected major Big Labor power grabs such as the “card check” forced-unionism bill, which sailed through the House as recently as 2007 and seemed close to becoming law in early 2009, after Barack Obama became the 44th U.S. President.

Momentum Swings Toward Right to Work

A full-fledged Committee effort to get federal candidates on the record against the “card check” bill, or “Employee Free Choice Act,” as proponents cynically mislabeled it, surpassed expectations in mobilizing citizens and increasing the number of Right to Work supporters in Congress.

To activate Right to Work supporters, the Committee distributed a record-smashing total of nearly 8.4 million federal candidate Survey 2010 “information packets” through the U.S. Postal Service last year. Above and beyond that, the 2010 program had a massive Internet component, including nearly half a million e-mails transmitted in October alone. All this plus radio, TV, and newspaper advertising.

Lobbying by Committee members persuaded hundreds of House and Senate candidates to take a pro-Right to Work position, which in turn helped many get elected. That’s not surprising, given the Right to Work principle’s overwhelming public support.

“The political momentum is now against compulsory unionism,” commented Mr. Mix.

“That means in this Congress the Committee actually has a chance, if members keep up the pressure, to pick up enough votes from the ‘mushy middle’ to push pro-Right to Work legislation through the House.”

Committee Pushes For Floor Votes (more…)

Tagged with: Card Check • Dennis Hastert • EFCA • Eric Cantor • John Boehner • Mark Mix • Newt Gingrich • Public Safety Employer-Employee Cooperation • RAISE Act
Posted in: Card Check, Card Check, Elections, Forced-Dues for Politics, Legislation, National Right to Work Act, NRTWC Newsletter, Police Fire Monopoly Bargaining, Public Employee Monopoly Bargaining, U.S. Congress

Big Government, Big Labor’s Final Frontier

On December 22, 2010, By NRTW Committee Staff

National Right To Work Committee President Mark Mix on Forbes’ Mallory Factor discussing the rift between private sector and public sector union members. The two covered numerous topics including NRTW actions in Congress and in the states.

December 2010 issue of The National Right To Work Committee Newsletter is available

On December 19, 2010, By NRTW Committee Staff

The December 2010 issue of The National Right To Work Committee Newsletter is available for download in an Adobe pdf format for your convenience to read and share. It is the Committee’s official newsletter publication that provides an excellent monthly overview of the battle against forced unionism.

December’s issue contains the following headlines:

The December 2010 issue of The National Right To Work Committee Newsletter

Voters Give Forced Unionism a ‘Shellacking’ – But Big Labor Retains Hold Over U.S. Senate, Key State Assemblies

Federal Candidate Survey Mobilizes Millions – Program Maximizes Right to Work Gains in ‘Year of Opportunity’

Obama NLRB to Ignore Mid-Term Election Results – Independent Workers, Firms Face ‘Card-Check Lite’ Implementation

Workers Forced to Bankroll Agenda They Oppose – New Nationwide Poll Shows Union Members Support Right to Work

Iowans Repudiate Pro-Forced Unionism Governor – Right to Work Makes Major Gains in State Legislative Contests

Right to Work: Rx For Job-Losing States – Legislators Look at ‘Oklahoma Model’ For Stronger Economic Growth

Posted in: Card Check, Card Check, Economic Development in RTW States, Economic Impact of Unionization, Economics, Forced-Dues for Politics, Government Grants to Unions, Legislation, NRTWC Newsletter, NRTWC Newsletter Summary, Obama Administration, ObamaCare, PLA, Police Fire Monopoly Bargaining, Police Firefighters EMTs, Right to Work

Heritage Foundation: Don’t Force States to Unionize

On December 17, 2010, By NRTW Committee Staff

The Heritage Foundation warns of the negative implication of forcing states to unionize firemen and police forces:

The Senate may soon consider a bill that would force states to allow for the unionization of public employees. In addition to the extraordinary amount of mandates imposed under President Obama, Congress has been attempting to extend the burden of collective bargaining imposed upon every state and local government. Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D–NV) recently reintroduced the Public Safety Employer-Employee Cooperation Act in an attempt to rush it through Congress before Republicans take control of the House in January. This legislation would mandate collective bargaining for police, firefighters, and emergency medical personnel—even in states that have passed laws to ensure this can’t happen.

Minnesota Governor Tim Pawlenty made headlines today with his editorial against government unions. It is no secret that unions have increasingly resorted to government employees to boost membership. Minnesota has362,000 union members, and Governor Pawlenty has had his fair share of battles to keep taxpayers from footing the bill.

Government is the easy way to avoid pesky things like efficiency and competition. In September, Heritage expert James Sherk exposed the fact that since last year, most union workers now collect a check paid for by taxpayers. Some of that money is automatically deposited into union coffers to pay for their dues. This is made possible through a taxpayer-funded payroll system.

The rise of government unions has had many troubling effects.

            • Federal workers already receive up to 22 percent more than their private counterparts, resulting in $47 billion in additional taxes.

            • Many states force government employees to join a union or lose their job.

            • Since the beginning of the recession, private sector employment has fallen while federal employment has risen. Government employees have not faced the same hard decisions that many Americans have confronted during the recent economic decline.

            • Unions are able to take the money they receive from their members and lobby for increased wages in the form of more taxes.

Congress should let each state decide whether it wants to force its taxpayers to fund overpaid union employees.

Tagged with: Harry Reid • Heritage Foundation • James Sherk • Public Safety Employer-Employee Cooperation Act • Tim Pawlenty
Posted in: Economics, Forced-Dues for Politics, Government Grants to Unions, Legislation, Police Fire Monopoly Bargaining, Police Firefighters EMTs, Public Employee Monopoly Bargaining

Reid’s Lame Payback Bill

On December 7, 2010, By NRTW Committee Staff

****UPDATE 12/6/2010****

This evening, Senator Reid moved to proceed to the following bills and filed cloture on the motions:

- Calendar #662, S.3991, the Public Safety Employer-Employee Cooperation Act of 2009 (commonly known as Police -Fire Fighters Forced Monopoly Bargaining Bill);

By unanimous consent, the cloture vote on the motion to proceed to Calendar #662, S.3991 (the Public Safety Employer-Employee Cooperation Act of 2009) will occur upon conclusion of the impeachment proceedings. We expect to complete the impeachment proceedings Wednesday morning.

********

Sen. Harry Reid is trying to repay his political debts and is attempting for move legislation that would give union bosses monopoly bargaining power over taxpayer money for police and fireman. The Detroit News adds their thoughts on the deal:

Having survived a near-death experience on Election Day thanks largely to massive donations from labor unions, Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid is paying back his benefactors. The Democrat from Nevada says that during Congress’ lame duck session he will try to once again force through a measure giving police and fire unions the upper hand in dealing with local communities.

Reid will seek a cloture vote on the Public Safety Employer-Employee Cooperation Act, which despite its name has little to do with cooperation. Rather, the bill would be a federal clone of Michigan’s disastrous Public Act 312, which is blamed with ruining the finances of scores of communities, including Detroit, and pushing many to the brink of bankruptcy — that’s you, Hamtramck.

The bill would make it easier for police and firefighters to organize labor unions and force all officers to join, even in right-to-work states. That’s a brazen usurpation of state authority, and very likely unconstitutional. (more…)

Tagged with: first responders • Harry Reid • Michigan • police and fire fighters • Public Act 312 • Public Safety Employer-Employee Cooperation Act
Posted in: Forced Dues, Forced-Dues for Politics, Police Fire Monopoly Bargaining, Public Employee Monopoly Bargaining

The Detroit News: Harry Reid’s Big Labor Payback

On November 24, 2010, By NRTW Committee Staff

According to the Detroit Free Press, Harry Reid intends to reward Big Labor for pulling out all the stops during his reelection by forcing union dues on first responders across the country among other actions. See the excerpt below and click on the link for the full story. (also see the related National Right To Work Action Alert)

From The Detroit News:

Having survived a near-death experience on Election Day thanks largely to massive donations from labor unions, Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid is paying back his benefactors. The Democrat from Nevada says that during Congress’ lame duck session he will try to once again force through a measure giving police and fire unions the upper hand in dealing with local communities.

Reid will seek a cloture vote on the Public Safety Employer-Employee Cooperation Act, which despite its name has little to do with cooperation. Rather, the bill would be a federal clone of Michigan’s disastrous Public Act 312, which is blamed with ruining the finances of scores of communities, including Detroit, and pushing many to the brink of bankruptcy.

In Michigan, where most major police and firefighters are already unionized, the largest impact would be in rural areas, since the law would also likely apply to volunteer fire departments. That would put most of those volunteer outfits out of business, and destroy an important grass-roots community protection network. These volunteers are often highly trained individuals who provide the only defense for their neighbors’ homes and property.

But the worse part of Reid’s union-buttering bill is that it would codify in federal law a state act that Michigan must get out from under if communities are to regain control of their finances.

Tagged with: Harry Reid • PFFMBB • Public Safety Employer-Employee Cooperation Act
Posted in: Economic Impact of Unionization, Economics, Elections, Forced Dues, Forced-Dues for Politics, Government Grants to Unions, Police Fire Monopoly Bargaining, Union boss power, Union Work Rules

The war on jobs and true employee free choice

Big Government, Big Labor’s Final Frontier

Heritage Foundation: Don’t Force States to Unionize

Reid’s Lame Payback Bill

The Detroit News: Harry Reid’s Big Labor Payback

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