WSJ -- 'The Union Police' -- Vote Against S. 2123

Wall Street Journal ^ | 5-12-08 | WSJ Editorial

[Big Labor Hater]

The Union Police May 12, 2008; Page A14 Unions keep losing membership as a share of the national workforce, which explains why organized labor's main political focus is changing the rules to force more workers into unions. Witness a bill that Senate Democrats are pushing this week to require that hundreds of thousands of local police and firemen submit to collective bargaining. Under current law, every state has the ability to set policies that govern its public workforce. In some states, police, firefighters and paramedics belong to unions that collectively bargain for their contracts. In others, unions representing public-security workers can bargain over pay, but not over benefits or work rules. And in some others, these workers can choose not to belong to a union. Democrats want to change this for the entire country. A bill that passed the House last year would make the top officials at local unions the exclusive bargaining agents for public safety officers in every town or city with more than 5,000 people. They would also have the authority to bargain for everything -- pay, benefits and work rules. The goal is to give labor the whip hand with local governments, and further coerce nonunion members to join the dues-paying ranks. Sixteen states have considered legislation like this since 1996 and voted it down. The bill, pushed hardest by the International Association of Fire Fighters, would impose it nationwide, superceding all of these state laws. This arguably violates the Constitution's 10th Amendment, which leaves to the states any powers not specifically given to the federal government -- which presumably includes a state's labor relations. It would also conflict with constitutions in states like Michigan, raising the threat of protracted legal disputes.

[Big Labor Hater]

Today, a bill, S. 2123, is going to be voted in the US Senate. The bill would impose, from Washington, monopoly bargaining, on every policeman, firefighter, and emt in the country. Call your Senator at 202-224-3121 today and tell them to vote against the largest expansion of union boss power in the 225 plus year history of our country.

[IrishCatholic]

bookmark for later.

[HoosierHawk]

Eleven Republican Senators are co-sponsoring this legislation.

As the WSJ says: If Republicans can't even oppose monopoly unionization, who needs Republicans?

[KC_Conspirator]

Actung! Schnell! Everyone must join zee party! DNC uber alles!

[FrdmLvr]

bookmark for later.

But call your senators today.