NILRR Right to Work News

Does Part of Workers’ Wages Belong to Their Monopoly Bargaining Agent, Even If They Aren’t Union Members?

Raymond LaJeunesse, The Federalist Society, November 02, 2017

In an October 5 posting on the blog “On Labor,†Harvard Professor of Labor Law Benjamin Sachs argues ingeniously, but erroneously, that “there is no first amendment problem with agency fees†because, “under the Court’s First Amendment cases, agency fees are – and must be treated as – payments made directly by employers to unions.†https://onlabor.org/janus-agency-fees-and-the-first-amendment/. The primary error in this argument is that not only has “each Supreme Court holding†concerning compulsory union fees been “predicated on the idea that employees are compelled to pay their money to the union,†as Professor Sachs concedes, but the Court has held that for purposes of the First Amendment the money involved belongs to the employees not the union.

Ex-UAW Member Launches Group to Combat Compelled Dues

Washington Free Beacon Online, November 05, 2017

Terry Bowman, a Ford line worker who spent decades as a dues-paying member of the United Auto Workers union, has long criticized the labor organization for its political activities. He is now attempting to take that criticism nationwide with the group Moving Unions Forward.

Congress moves to reshape the NLRB

Washington Examiner Online, November 05, 2017

Titled the “Save Local Business Act,” the House legislation would rewrite the National Labor Relations Act to codify the direct control standard. The bill is scheduled to be considered in the House Rules Committee on Monday and could see floor action as soon as Tuesday, said a congressional source with knowledge of the situation. It has 123 co-sponsors, including three Democrats.

Does Labor Have a Death Wish?

Politico Magazine Online, November 07, 2017

One year after an election it would like to forget, organized labor is taking it on the chin from a president who won more union households than any other Republican during the previous three decades. Labor leaders overwhelmingly supported Hillary Clinton. But for the union rank and file, pulling the lever for Donald Trump turned out to be a stunning betrayal of their own movement and its interests. Consider:

• The Republican-majority Supreme Court will this year likely outlaw “fair share†fees from union non-members, dealing a financial blow from which public-employee unions might never recover.

Chinese Auto-Glass Magnate Faces Union Challenge in Ohio

New York Times Online, November 08, 2017

Fuyao managers and outside consultants retained by the company have seized on a federal indictment alleging that a U.A.W. and a Fiat Chrysler official had pocketed funds from a jointly run training center to argue that the union is fundamentally corrupt. “It’s one more thing they can throw at us,†said Mr. Rankin, of the union.

Attempt to override Rauner veto of measure banning right-to-work zones fails again

ilnews.org, November 07, 2017

Representatives voted 70-39 to override Gov. Bruce Rauner’s veto of the so-called Collective Bargaining Freedom Act. A supermajority of 71 votes was needed for a successful override.

The legislation that would have made it a criminal offense for local governments to create right-to-work zones in their jurisdictions was criticized by Republicans and thought to be unconstitutional by many legal experts. A trailer bill that passed the chamber Tuesday amended the legislation to remove the criminal aspect.

Sergio Talked to the Feds About UAW Corruption Investigation

thetruthaboutcars.com, November 06, 2017

Marchionne and his lawyer participated in a private meeting in July 2016, discussing the alleged corruption between FCA executives and high-ranking members of the UAW with investigators. One year later, former Fiat Chrysler Vice President Alphons Iacobelli was indicted and accused of funneling kickbacks to UAW officials

This Could Be the Most Expensive State Legislative Race in History. Here’s Why It’s a Waste of Money.

governing.com, November 06, 2017

Steve Sweeney, the president of the New Jersey Senate, is seeking re-election on Tuesday. Sweeney, a Democrat, is being opposed by the New Jersey Education Association (NJEA), the primary teachers union in the state. Given NJEA’s deep pockets — and the amount of money Sweeney has raised from other unions and allies — spending in the race could top $20 million.

How Right To Work Laws Are Making Inroads Even In Blue States

forbes.com, November 06, 2017

Right to Work states on average have greater economic growth, a lower unemployment rate, and lower taxes than forced union states. The advantages don’t stop there. Right-to-work states also outperform non-Right to Work states in nearly every metric of economic health, from lower unemployment rates to greater after-tax purchasing power, and more. Furthermore, Right to Work states have long been more prosperous than coerced union states. In the three decades between 1977 and 2007, per capita income rose 23 percent faster in Right to Work than in non-Right to Work states.

Democrats predict wave election in 2018 after Virginia, New Jersey victories

Washington Examiner Online, November 08, 2017

Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., said Tuesday’s big victories in the New Jersey and Virginia governor’s races mirror those in 2005, when Democrats made gains before the midterm elections of former President George W. Bush’s second term.