NILRR Weekly Newsclips, November 08, 2013


A black and white image of an eagle with its wings spread.

 

 

Group files complaint about Unified’s vote to negotiate with unions

Kenosha News Online, November 08, 2013

According to a statement from the Institute, the complaint was filed on behalf of Kristi Lacroix, who they identify as a district taxpayer.

Lacroix is a former teacher at Lakeview Technology Academy who left her job this year to become regional membership director for the Association of American Educators, a non-union educators association.

According to the Association, “she was the 2012 recipient of the National Right To Work’s ‘Carol Applegate’ award for her work to expose the devastating effects of forced unionism on teachers and education.†She also appeared in an advertisement for Gov. Scott Walker last year, and later said she was threatened for her public stance supporting the governor.

Lacroix confirmed that the complaint was filed on her behalf, but said she did not want to comment beyond statements included in a press release.

Teachers’ union head not in line to run New York City schools: Bill de Blasio

Washington Examiner Online, November 7, 2013

New York City Mayor-elect Bill de Blasio denies claims that he is vetting American Federation of Teachers President Randi Weingarten as the next NYC schools chancellor.

“I have never had that conversation with anyone,” he told reporters Tuesday. “I don’t know where you’re getting that from.â€

German Worries Help Auto Union Effort in U.S.

Wall Street Journal Online, November 7, 2013

In its latest drive to organize foreign-owned auto plants in the South, the United Auto Workers union suddenly is getting help from an unexpected source—German workers concerned about their own jobs.

How Unions May Finally Get an Obamacare Giveaway

National Review Online, November 7, 2013

The Obama administration’s Department of Health and Human Services released a raft of new Obamacare regulations last Wednesday, and buried on page 65,051 of the Federal Register to which they were added, there’s a bit of important news. Kaiser Health News reported yesterday that the rules propose exempting from one of the taxes levied by Obamacare a certain type of health-care plans that are typically used by labor unions, which have complained quite loudly about the Affordable Care Act since its passage (which they supported). The key line from the new regulations: “We also intend to propose in future rulemaking to exempt certain self-insured, self-administered plans from the requirement to make reinsurance contributions for the 2015 and 2016 benefit years.â€

Right-to-work query prompts artful dodging

SaukValley.com, November 7, 2013

For the record, Gov. Pat Quinn opposes right-to-work laws.

GOP gubernatorial hopeful Bruce Rauner supports the concept of allowing individual Illinois counties and municipalities to vote on whether they want to keep the status quo or adopt a local right-to-work ordinance.

Local union members learn how to talk [against] right-to-work

Ktoo.org, November 6, 2013

Nearly half of all states have right-to-work laws that prohibit contracts between employers and labor unions requiring workers to pay union dues.

Alaska is not one of them. But with a Republican dominated legislature and executive branch, it is seen as a state where right-to-work legislation could pass. No bills have been introduced here since 2011, and the issue does not seem to be a priority for business or political groups.

On the other hand, labor groups remain concerned about right-to-work and other efforts to thwart collective bargaining, as evidenced by a union sponsored training this week in Juneau attended by members of about a dozen local unions.

Michigan Freedom Fund accuses SEIU of campaign finance violations over home health care Proposal 4

mlive.com, November 7, 2013

The Michigan Freedom Fund filed a complaint in August, alleging that Citizens for Affordable Quality Home Care and Home Care First violated campaign finance laws in their $9 million support of the failed Proposal 4, which would have provided for collective bargaining for home health workers.

Did Michigan Education Association violate the right-to-work law?

Michigan Capitol Confidential,  November 8, 2013

The Michigan Senate announced Thursday that it will investigate the behavior of the Michigan Education Association in regard to actions it has taken to avoid the state’s right-to-work law.

Quebec labour leader calls for union-led counterattack against Tory policies

Times-Colonist Online, November 7, 2013

Lortie predicted trouble if the federal government goes too far — imposing U.S.-style right-to-work legislation, for instance, or attacking the long-standing formula that governs mandatory union dues.

Wisconsin public-sector unions report big drops in revenue

The Capital Times Online, November 7, 2013

Financial statements from major state labor unions show the devastating effect that Gov. Scott Walker’s collective bargaining law has wrought on their ability to remain big political players in the state.

Saving Bad Apples

City Journal Online, November 07, 2013

Most people agree that bad apples—whether misbehaving police officers, state workers, or school teachers—should be removed from public service or at least disciplined. Yet a California legislature that couldn’t be bothered to consider serious pension reform or address a spate of coming municipal bankruptcies passed three union-backed bills that protect the state’s worst “public servants.†Talk about priorities.

Machinists union leader: Boeing offer ‘a piece of crap’ (Everett, WA)

Free Republic Online, November 08, 2013

Machinists are expressing anger at the terms offered by Boeing to win the 777X work for Everett. Boeing said in a statement that the company is ready to “pursue other options” outside Washington.

In a dramatic end to a meeting with hundreds of disgruntled Machinists at the Seattle union headquarters Thursday night, District 751 President Tom Wroblewski tore up a copy of Boeing’s contract proposal and said he would try to have it withdrawn.   

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