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We at the National Right to Work Committee are fighting at many levels to protect America's working men and women's right to decide for themselves whether or not a union deserves their financial support.
Whether it be in the state and federal legislatures, the courts, or hearing rooms at the FEC or the NLRB, we fight to ensure that workers join unions because they want to – not out of fear or federal mandate.
Please become an active member by pledging a monthly gift, or by helping us financially on one of the specific legislative efforts highlighted above.
Police and Fire Monopoly-Bargaining Bill: Bad News For Taxpayers & Public Employees
Taxpayer safety and protection of no concern to Big Labor Bosses
FOR RELEASE: September 12, 2001
WASHINGTON, D.C. (September 12, 2001)- The U.S. Senate is rapidly moving on a bill that would force all state and local public safety employees into labor unions and would greatly increase costs to the taxpayers.
In a blatant power grab and show of disregard for the American taxpayer, Big Labor and its allies in the Senate quietly rammed through Ted Kennedy's Senate Labor Committee their so-called "Public Safety Employer-Employee Cooperation Act of 2001".
This bill, which would be better called the "Let 'em Burn and Loot Bill," would force states and local governments to allow Big Labor bosses to act as the monopoly bargaining agents for their police, firefighters, county paramedic, and other public-safety officers in all 50 states.
Federally imposed monopoly bargaining would strip public-safety officers and employees of their freedom, and would soak state and local taxpayers for hundreds of millions of dollars annually in increased costs.
The majority of states have resisted Big Labor and currently don't force public service officers to join a union just to get or keep a job.
S. 952 would make the public safety of all 50 states Big Labor controlled.
In states that allow this forced unionism of public safety workers, there has been an "us against them" mentality, job featherbedding, unwieldy workplace regulations, and disastrous strikes.
Currently, this bill -- introduced by Senator Judd Gregg (R-NH) -- is gaining steam in Senate and Big Labor ally Tom Daschle is likely to move it to the floor for a public roll call vote.
If enacted, S. 952 could, by federal fiat, force thousands of states and local governments either to instantly recognize union officials as public-safety officers' "Exclusive" bargaining agents, or hold union-representation elections within 180 days.
Then, if union organizers won a representation election by even 50% plus one of those voting (usually not a majority of workers), they would be empowered to negotiate contracts on behalf of 100% of the public-safety officers in each "bargaining unit."
Workers who don't want this "representation" would have no choice.
Congress would strip tens of thousands of police and firemen of their freedom to negotiate directly with their employer on their own behalf.
This prohibition, enforced by fines and firings for violations, is the foundation of compulsory unionism.
The 2.2 million member National Right to Work Committee® is mobilizing a grassroots campaign to fight this bill in the Senate, and to urge President Bush to keep his campaign promise to veto it if Congress sends it to him.
For questions or more information, contact John Tate at 800-325-7892.