NILRR Right to Work Clipsheet February 19, 2016
Legal team plans to move for Friedrichs case to be re-heard
Center for Individual Rights www.cir-usa.org, February 17, 2016
The Court could decide on its own to set the case for re-argument next term. If instead it issues a 4-4 decision, the lawyers for Friedrichs plan to file a motion for rehearing so that the full Court, including its new Justice, can hear and decide the case. It is likely that a rehearing would occur during the Court’s next term, beginning October 2016, delaying by a year final resolution of the case.
Home care worker sues union for collecting dues
Portland Tribune Online, February 16, 2016
Rose signed up for union membership before the Supreme Court in June 2014 issued its opinion on Harris v. Quinn exempting home care contractors from mandatory union fees. When Rose sent the union a letter Nov. 20 requesting to end her membership and opt out of dues and fees, the union responded that she had to wait until her membership was up for renewal, Dagostino said.
Labor unions made billions off Scalia’s death
The Horn News Online, February 17, 2016
Some of the largest unions in the country are reaping an unexpected billion-dollar windfall after the sudden and unexpected death of Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia.
Unions feared the potential loss of huge amounts in fees could have significantly reduced their power in the political arena. But with Scalia out of the picture, that doesn’t appear to be a concern any more.
Empowering Workers, Not Union Bosses
jeb2016.com, February 19, 2016
We must reverse the radicalization of the NLRB. As president, I will return the NLRB to its intended purpose of protecting workers – not unions.
As president, I will ensure that the NLRB is no longer beholden to union bosses.
We must also undo the far-left rules and decisions written by Obama’s appointees.
As president, I’ll stop these regulations so we can grow the economy, increase employment and raise middle class incomes.
Politico.com, February 18, 2016
Speaking at a town-hall-style event in Columbia, S.C., Carson said public sector unions should be abolished. “There shouldn’t be unions in the government,” he said in the course of discussing plans to overhaul federal agencies. Carson argued that the government’s employees were supposed to work for U.S. citizens, implying that unions were at odds with that goal.
Time to Talk About John Kasich’s Biggest Failure as Ohio Governor: Union Reform
pjmedia.com., February12, 2016
Even though polls showed that voters overwhelmingly supported parts of SB5, like right-to-work and requiring public employees to pay a percentage of their health insurance and pensions, Kasich declared that the people had spoken. Unlike Wisconsin Governor Walker, who stared down the union protestors–and won–Kasich backed down and vowed that no union reforms would happen on his watch. He declared that right-to-work is “not on my agenda” and in fact, has made peace with the unions, proclaiming that “we don’t have any disruptive labor situations” in Ohio. (Why would there be? Unions are getting everything they want. Meanwhile, local governments and taxpayers are going broke trying to fund the Cadillac benefit plans.)
Wall Street Journal Online, February 12, 2016
President Obama’s war on coal has cost thousands of high-paying union jobs, and now it has cost Big Labor again in lost political clout. On Friday West Virginia became the 26th right-to-work state that lets workers decide for themselves whether to join a union.
Rauner to lawmakers: Work with me on my agenda or let me cut budget
Chicago Tribune Online, February 17, 2016
The Rauner administration said lawmakers could either give the governor the freedom to cut the $3.5 billion on his own or work with him to fill the hole with a combination of cuts and new tax revenue – alongside passage of his broader legislative agenda. That wish list, a big sticking point for Democrats for a year now, includes changes in how workers are compensated for on-the-job injuries, tighter rules on big-dollar lawsuits and limits on what unions can negotiate in collective bargaining.
Catherine Hanaway vows to make Missouri a right-to-work state
kansascity.com, February 18, 2016
“Last week, West Virginia became the 26th right-to-work state in the nation! As governor, I will make Missouri the 27th right-to-work state.” – Missouri Republican gubernatorial candidate Catherine Hanaway writing in a fund-raising appeal.
Right-To-Work Amendment Approved In Alabama House
WKRG.com, February 17, 2016
The Alabama House of Representatives has approved legislation reiterating Alabama’s stance as a so-called “right-to-work” state.
Alabama law already has the prohibition, but Republicans said adding the language to the state constitution will give additional assurances to businesses.
State Senate passes right to work amendment
August Free Press Online, February 17, 2016
The Virginia House of Delegates and State Senate have now both passed legislation to enshrine Virginia’s right to work law in the Constitution.
Now that the resolution has passed in the General Assembly, the amendment will go to the voters for final approval during the 2016 election.
Philadelphia Union Using Drones to Watch Protests, Worksites
abcnews.com, February 16, 2016
An International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers union local in Philadelphia – a city with a long history of union power – now employs three surveillance drones that can fly over protests and construction sites.
Wally Zimolong, a lawyer representing the rehabilitation project at the former Parker Spruce Hotel – the target in the IBEW’s YouTube video – told the TV station the drones could possibly be used in ways that violate labor laws. But he also conceded the technological technique could be effective.
“He has a pretty good track record of achieving his ends,” he said of Dougherty. “There’s some suspicion that this video was placed out there to chill any ideas other developers might have about a construction project in the city of Philadelphia that might not utilize union labor.”
ROME ALOISE, HOFFA’S MAIN MAN IN THE WEST, CHARGED BY IRB
Teamsters for a Democratic Union, February 12, 2016
The charges are wide-ranging and involve almost every conceivable labor crime, including:
- racketeering
- requesting things of value from employers during negotiations
- taking employers gifts, including admissions to Playboy’s Super Bowl Party for Hoffa’s Executive assistant and his friends
- trying to leverage jobs for his relatives from employers, including UPS, Costco and others during labor negotiations
- negotiating a sham collective bargaining agreement
- using union resources to punish political opponents and prevent a fair Teamster election
Bias and conflict of interest corrupt state agriculture labor board
govbuddy.com, February 12, 2016
A quarter of a century ago, the United Farm Workers disappeared and left thousands of Central Valley farmworkers to negotiate wages on their own with their employer, Gerawan Farms. The union suddenly reappeared in 2012 to demand the employees pay dues or lose their jobs. By then the employees were earning the industry’s highest wages and working comfortably. The moribund UFW, however, had lost 90 percent of its membership and was bleeding money, so they set their sights on this employee group near Fresno. The employees protested by the thousands and eventually achieved the right to vote whether to decertify the UFW.
Meanwhile, the ALRB spends millions to suppress the employees’ right to choose. While the ballots remain locked away, the ALRB has almost doubled its budget and staff, all in an attempt to force Gerawan into a contract, without even allowing a ratification vote.
Union VP Accused Of Assaulting Process Server Outside Kensington Home, Intimidating Cop
sanfrancisco.cbslocal.com, February 16, 2016
Dave Regan is accused of pushing a process server down the steps of his Kensington home, refusing to be served legal documents in a dispute with the California Hospital Association.
Police say the server was injured and had to have medical treatment.
When police got to Regan’s home, they said he was aggressive and tried to intimidate the officer.