NILRR Clips November 14, 2014
Push For New Mexico “Right To Work” Law Anticipated
krwg.org, TV and FM radio, November 13, 2014
A Republican legislative leader says the GOP’s capture of majority control of the state House means New Mexico may enact legislation to bar labor contracts that require workers to be union members. The idea is controversial because it would allow those who benefit from union contracts to avoid paying union dues.
Indiana Upholds Right-to-Work Law
USchamber.com, November 10, 2014
The Indiana Supreme Court upheld Thursday that state’s right-to-work law, putting an end to frivolous legal challenges that have sought to overturn it. The ruling overturned a pair of previous rulings by Lake County judges who had declared that the right-to-work statute ran afoul of the Indiana constitution.
Right-to-Work Will Continue to Benefit Indiana’s Economy
American Legislator Online, November 10, 2014
The Indiana Supreme Court ruled 5-0 that Indiana’s right-to-work law does not violate the state constitution. The ruling is a victory for workers across Indiana because it will preserve their right to choose whether or not to join a union by preventing employers from requiring union dues payment as a condition of employment. As state legislators face difficult questions about how to make their state more economically competitive, they should consider allowing employees to choose whether or not to financially support a union.
Sconza Employee Files Federal Labor Charges Against Union
Oakdale Leader Online, November 12, 2014
A Sconza Candy Company employee has filed federal charges against a local bakers union and her employer for a litany of rights violations regarding mandatory union membership and a subsequent suspension she received for not joining the union in a timely manner.
Local Grocery Union Faces Federal Charges for Retaliatory Forced Dues Confiscations
nrtw.org, November 12, 2014
Burlington, WA (November 12, 2014) – A local Fred Meyer grocery store worker has filed a federal charge against the United Food & Commercial Workers (UFCW) Local 21 union for refusing to follow federal disclosure requirements and confiscating more than the legally-permitted amount of forced union fees from her paychecks.
Obama Nominates Lauren McFerran to National Labor Relations Board
Wall Street Journal Online, November 12, 2014
President Barack Obama nominated Lauren McFerran to the National Labor Relations Board and has withdrawn the nomination of Sharon Block because of GOP objections, the White House said Wednesday.
UAW faces competition with rival under VW labor policy
Detroit Free Press Online, November 12, 2014
However, it does not recognize the UAW as the exclusive bargaining agent for workers. And, it also opens the door for a rival group, the American Council of Employees, to represent workers — setting up another potentially fierce battle for the hearts and minds of Volkswagen’s workers.
ILWU and PMA trade charges amid West Coast slow down
ajot.com, November 13, 2014
The situation has caused growing criticism from shippers, carriers and freight forwarders who largely blame the ILWU for the slowdown. The criticism comes from groups like the AgTC (Agriculture Transportation Coalition ) representing U.S. agricultural exporters, which sent a letter to President Obama on November 6th. The letter was also signed by leading shippers and the ATA (American Trucking Association) expressing concern about the disruption caused by the work slow down at West Coast ports. The groups are asking for federal mediation.
Right to Work Should Be on the Agenda in Ohio and Wisconsin
workplacechoice.org, November 10, 2014
One takeaway from the midterm elections is politicians who support labor reform, which protects worker choice and reduce union coercive power, should not fear political retaliation from labor unions.
That being said, after the conclusion of the midterm elections, Republicans have total political control, in which they hold the governor’s office and both chambers of the state legislature, in two forced-unionism states, Ohio and Wisconsin.
Memo: Obama Admin Ignored Ethics Complaint Against Top DOL Official
Daily Caller Online,
After The Daily Caller reported that top DOL public affairs official Carl Fillichio violated separation of church and state by urging his workers to vote for a former DOL secretary in an online religious game called “Lent Madness,” the DOL inspector general’s office sent a letter to the DOL acting secretary requesting a review of the violation.
DC is currently banned from speaking to employees of the Department of Labor after breaking stories about the department’s wasteful spending and alleged racial discrimination and former DOL Secretary Hilda Solis’ illegal campaign fundraising trip for President Obama.
Email at Work: Unions Await Key Ruling
Wall Street Journal Online, November 9, 2014
Business groups are bracing for a ruling by federal regulators that could require employers to let workers use company email systems to communicate about ways to work together to improve wages and working conditions, potentially giving unions a powerful organizing tool.
From the Classroom to the Capitol: America’s Youngest Lawmaker Is All About Ideas
The Daily Signal Online, November 12, 2014
Blair worries that a bad economy will continue to drive her state’s millennial exodus. To turn things around, “making West Virginia a right-to-work state” tops her agenda.