Skip to main content

Breaking: National Right to Work Legislation Proposed


Earlier today, House Republicans introduced a bill that would institute right to work in cities and states across the country.  Readers might recall that several states have been proactive about passing right to work legislation over the past few months (such as West Virginia, Kentucky, Missouri, and New Hampshire...to name a few), but a national right to work bill would have a much larger impact.

The bill, sponsored by Representatives Joe Wilson (South Carolina) and Steve King (Iowa), would amend the National Labor Relations Act and the Railway Labor Act and prohibit provisions in employment agreements that would require all employees to join a union (or pay union dues) as a condition of employment.  Although a similar bill filed in the 114th Legislative Session failed to gain traction, this bill *might* prove differently.  In this Legislative Session, Republicans control both houses of Congress and have a Republican President who has indicated his support for right to work laws in the past.

Of course, Republicans do not have a "filibuster proof" majority, should Democrats seek to block the legislation.  I would fully expect labor unions, labor union supporters, and a strong majority of Democrats to vehemently oppose this legislation.  At this point, unless Republicans can convince enough Democrats to support this bill (I would not hold my breath) or overcome a filibuster (possible, but again, still difficult), this bill might end up being little more than a dream for the time being.

As with many upcoming fights expected to play out in Congress (such as the nomination of Andy Puzder for Labor Secretary), something tells me this will turn into a protracted and drawn out fight.


Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

NLRB: Discussion Among Employees About Tip Pooling is Protected Concerted Activity

  This Advice Memorandum from the National Labor Relations Board’s Associate General Counsel, Jayme Sophir, addressed whether employees which discussed and complained about tip pooling at work constituted protected concerted activity. In relevant part, an employer in New York operated a chain of steakhouses.  While tip pooling was in place at these steakhouses, some of the employees objected to it on the grounds that it was not transparent and improperly divided tips among the workers.  Employees were told not to complain or talk to each other about the tip pool and were told that doing so would endanger their jobs.  Despite the employer later attempting to provide some clarity as to how the tips were being divided, rancor still existed among some employees.  At one point, the employees were told by a general manager that some employees that had been talking about the tip pool were “cleared out” and the employer would continue to do so. In the Advice Memorandum,...
Post a Comment
Read more

Breaking: Labor Secretary Rumored to Be Leaving Administration

A few hours ago, word leaked out that Labor Secretary Marty Walsh (“Walsh”) is in the midst of negotiations to head up the NHL Players Union and leave his position at the Labor Department. Walsh, who has served as the sole Labor Secretary under President Biden, has taken part in a labor renaissance of sorts as support for organized labor has increased during his term as Labor Secretary (although the number of workers that have joined a union over the past two years has not grown as mush as some expected.)  He has also overseen the ongoing negotiations with rail workers over a new contract, although that matter is still on shaky ground and playing out as we speak. As for who might step into the vacant Labor Secretary role, there are already rumblings that President Biden should nominate Deputy Labor Secretary Julie Su (a strong labor advocate) or even a progressive like Senator Bernie Sanders.  Until Walsh officially gives his notice, however, I would expect some/many potential...
Post a Comment
Read more

San Diego Rolls Back Vaccine Mandate For City Workers

Last Tuesday, the San Diego City Council voted to do away with the vaccine mandate for city employees. The city’s vaccine mandate that was in place required city workers to get the coronavirus vaccine or risk termination.  Perhaps to this surprise of no one, the city’s policy came under fire with 14 employees being terminated and over 100 other employees resigning.  With the coronavirus subsiding, including in Southern California, the San Diego City Council took action. Now, bear in mind, the repeal of the vaccine mandate does not take place immediately. With that being said, the mandate will be repealed March 8th.  I suppose the question now is, what other cities or regions follow San Diego’s lead? For additional information:   https://www.sandiegouniontribune.com/news/politics/story/2023-01-24/san-diego-repeals-controversial-covid-19-vaccine-mandate-citing-drop-in-cases-hospitalizations
Post a Comment
Read more