NILRR Right to Work News Clips March 16, 2018

A graphic of the right to work states


Right to Work States Hold 2:1 Job-Growth Advantage Over Forced Union States

CNS News Online, March 14, 2018

The 22 states that already had Right to Work laws prohibiting forced union dues and fees on the books back in 2007 enjoyed overall household employment growth of 8.8 percent over the next year. Meanwhile, aggregate employment growth in the 22 states that had still not adopted Right to Work legislation as of the end of last year grew by just 4.2 percent, or less than half the Right to Work average.

Ex-union leader who extorted members sent to prison

Detroit News Online, March 14, 2018

A former union leader who “imposed a climate of fear†by shaking down union employees for kickbacks will spend two years in prison and is on the hook to pay $250,000 in restitution to his victims.

Why Should Unions Have Eternal Life?

Wall Street Journal Online, March 13, 2018

A single electoral mandate can’t last forever, right? Yet that’s how labor unions work. Once a union wins a certification election, it hardly ever has to stand for recertification, no matter how much employee turnover takes place. Entire workforces have inherited union representation from predecessors decades earlier.   That’s about to change. This week, Florida became the third state to enact a law requiring teachers unions to stand for recertification. Specifically, if less than half of the bargaining unit chooses to maintain membership, the certification process starts over. The union must collect signatures from 30% of the unit and then win a secret-ballot election.

Trump Administration Plans to Plans to Slash Labor Relations Board, Consolidate Power

govexec.com, March 5, 2018

Proposals from NLRB officials appointed by President Trump would seek to centralize functions currently performed by regional employees in the field and reduce their investigatory authorities as they seek to resolve cases involving workforce representation and unfair labor practices. The agency is also seeking to dramatically slash its budget and workforce, and has implemented a hiring freeze and other cuts despite uncertainty as to whether Congress will go along with the reductions.

Labor Agreement Forced on Education Employees Curtails Official Time, Cuts Protections

govexec.com, March 15, 2018

Officials with the largest union representing federal employees have filed an unfair labor practices charge against the Education Department, after the agency unilaterally implemented a new collective bargaining agreement without approval from the labor group.

5th person charged in UAW-Fiat Chrysler scandal: Another union exec accused of theft

freep.com, March 14, 2018

Keith Mickens, a top labor leader who helped negotiate contracts between the UAW and Fiat Chrysler Automobiles, is the fifth person charged in the growing scandal in which prosecutors allege that FCA executives and union officials schemed together to enrich themselves. To date, two FCA officials, two labor leaders and the wife of a UAW official have been charged, and more indictments are in the pipeline.

Senate committee advances Trump NLRB pick

Washington Examiner Online, March 14, 2018

Ring’s nomination was approved on a strict 12-11 party-line vote. A full Senate confirmation of Ring would give the five-member board a Republican majority until 2020.

Unions Announce National Campaign to Aid Grad Workers

Boston College The Heights Online, March 15, 2018

Four unions began an “unprecedented†national campaign to aid graduate workers at private universities in attaining collective bargaining rights on Wednesday.

Union-friendly home healthcare worker bill approved by state Legislature

rentonreporter.com, March 10, 2018

Specifically, critics argue that by reclassifying home healthcare workers as private employees, SEIU 775 can legally demand that they pay union fees, despite a 2014 U.S. Supreme Court ruling—Harris v. Quinn—that public employees can opt-out of fees.

Judge in Boston City Hall trial to revisit view of Hobbs Act

Boston Herald Online, March 15, 2018

The judge overseeing the looming corruption trial of two City Hall officials has agreed to revisit his interpretation of Hobbs Act extortion after prosecutors — worried his definition will sink their case — argued yesterday they have 60 years of Supreme Court law on their side.

Labor Racket Weekly: February Fails

laborpains.org, March 16, 2018

On February 6th, 2018, in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Michigan, Glenn Smith, the former Controller of the Michigan Regional Council of Carpenters (MRCC) (located in Detroit, Mich.), was sentenced to 15 months in prison and two years of supervised release, and he was ordered to pay restitution in the amount of $534,097. On October 3rd, 2017, Smith pled guilty to one count of embezzling union funds, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 501(c).

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