NILRR Right to Work News April 06, 2018
wfmz.com, April 04, 2018
The panel consisted of Stephen Herzenberg, executive director, Keystone Research Center; Stanley T. Greer, senior research associate, National Institute for Labor Relations Research; Robert Orzechowski, expert on human resources issues and current chief operating officer for Lancaster Cancer Center; and Karmelia Sams, business agent, Service Employees International Union.
According to Greer, the intent of the RTW laws is not to disempower unions.
“There are many employees who are represented by a bargaining union who do not benefit economically for being represented by the union,” he said.
Greer gave the example of the national teachers union, which is opposed to higher pay for teaching positions that are harder to fill.
Trump advisers ignored right-to-work advocates’ advice
POLITICO Pro, April 06, 2018
President Donald Trump’s labor advisers ignored advice from the National Right to Work Committee not to select another management-side attorney for the NLRB, the group said today.
In a written statement, the pro-business group said it warned the White House that picking a management-side attorney to fill former Chairman Philip Miscimarra’s seat would open that person up to conflicts of interest – forcing recusals and allowing Democratic members of the board to keep the Obama administration’s pro-union decisions intact.
“If John Ring’s nomination is soon confirmed, as expected, then for the next year and a half two of the three NLRB members who aren’t profoundly biased in favor of forced unionism may have to recuse themselves from multiple cases,” said Matthew Leen, a National Right to Work Committee vice president. “Recusals could make it virtually impossible, until late 2019 or even 2020, for the board to revisit any more of the dozens of radical, precedent-smashing decisions issued by the Obama NLRB.”
UAW leader helped boss buy a pool in widespread scandal
Detroit News Online, April 05, 2018
A former United Auto Workers leader faces more than two years in federal prison after admitting Thursday he bought more than $7,000 worth of personal items with money that was supposed to help train blue-collar workers and used more money to help the late union Vice President General Holiefield buy a pool.
Ex-UAW official spent thousands in training money at Best Buy
freep.com, April 05, 2018
A former labor leader caught up in the UAW-Fiat Chrysler scandal admitted to a judge Thursday that he spent thousands of dollars meant for training on personal items at Best Buy.
UAW endorses Democrat Miles for Michigan attorney general
Bristol Herald Courier Online, April 05, 2018
The endorsement comes two days after Miles lobbed a campaign finance complaint against opponent Dana Nessel and 10 days before thousands of Michigan Democratic Party delegates convene in Detroit for an April 15 vote for the party’s preferred nominee.
Nessel is a former assistant prosecutor in Wayne County. She fired back Thursday by touting her own union endorsements from the Michigan Education Association, the Utility Workers Union, and Iron Workers — Local 25.
Editorial: Another time bomb for Chicago taxpayers
Chicago Tribune, March 27, 2018
Sorry to interrupt this reverie, but there are 1 billion reasons that you’re wrong. That is, the Chicago Teachers’ Pension Fund is short another $1 billion, according to the fund’s consultants.Or put differently: If these estimates prove correct, taxpayers are likely on the hook for another $1 billion to shore up the teachers pension fund.Over the years, CPS officials and City Hall have taken a two-step approach to the district’s money problems. Step 1: Hold out hand to lawmakers in Springfield. Step 2: Stick other hand into the pockets of Chicago taxpayers.
Why some public employee union members want the Supreme Court to ‘decimate’ their unions
Los Angeles Times Online, April 05, 2018
In writing about the U.S. Supreme Court’s 1977 Abood decision, which allowed public employee unions to collect an “agency fee” from those employees not wishing to join the union, he correctly states that nonmembers are already permitted to withhold the portion of their forced dues that goes to the unions’ political activities. His implication is that whatever fees they pay go only toward nonpolitical union activities.
Those of us who were forced to financially support unions knowing full well that part of our dues went to political activities with which we disagreed are rooting for what Meyerson calls the decimation of public employee unions by the Supreme Court.
Hoffa: Mexico Must Drop Legislation Clamping Down On Independent Unions
PR Newswire, April 05, 2015
In a letter sent to Mexican Senate President Ernesto Cordero Arroyo, Hoffa said the bill is undermining the 2017 Constitutional reforms enacted in Mexico and violates the nation’s commitment under the International Labor Organization and the North American Agreement on Labor Cooperation. It is also jeopardizing efforts to finalize a revamped North American Trade Agreement (NAFTA).
Wall Street Journal Online, April 05, 2018
Democrats also tried to end-run a forthcoming Supreme Court ruling in Janus v. Afscme that might strike down union fee requirements for non-union workers. The budget lets unions circulate “membership cards” that allow workers to opt out only during narrow periods of time. A New York State United Teachers membership card requires teachers to promise continuing to pay dues “regardless of whether I am or remain a member of the union,” so employees can join, but never leave.
State Budget Lets Unions Deny Some Services to Workers Who Won’t Pay Dues
New York Post Online, April 03, 2018
To push employees to keep filling union coffers, the new state law says unions are no longer obligated to provide any services to opt-out members beyond basic salary and benefits required by the contract.