With much fanfare, the Obama Administration held a “jobs summit” yesterday in an all but direct acknowledgement that their massive $787 billion so-called “stimulus” package had not produced the jobs they had promised. The White House invited a friendly audience to discuss how the government can help jumpstart the job market. Union leaders – regular visitors to the White House – were in attendance,... Read more »
The U.S. Department of Labor announced this morning that 11,000 jobs were lost in November, while the national unemployment rate ticked downward slightly to 10 percent. Rep. John Kline (R-MN), the top Republican on the U.S. House Education and Labor Committee, issued the following statement: “Any reduction in unemployment is welcome news, but a 10 percent unemployment rate is certainly not cause f... Read more »
As President Obama huddles at a White House jobs summit “packed with business leaders and economists supportive of White House policies,” it might be instructive to consider the economic consequences of the so-called Employee Free Choice Act. After all, the legislation remains a top priority for union bosses – some of whom will be attending today’s White House gathering. Consider an op-ed penned f... Read more »
Rep. John Kline (R-MN), the top Republican on the U.S. House Education and Labor Committee, today harshly criticized the Obama Administration’s decision to host a jobs summit while continuing to embrace job-killing policies that prevent economic recovery. The national unemployment rate currently stands at 10.2 percent, yet Democrats have continued to advance an agenda that allows the economy to st... Read more »
Today, the House Health, Employment, Labor and Pensions Subcommittee held a hearing to investigate how and why certain salaried employees of the Delphi Corporation were denied their full pension benefits in the wake of the General Motors and Delphi bankruptcy. Serious questions remain unanswered about the role of the Department of Treasury and the White House’s Auto Task Force in the bankruptcy pr... Read more »
It makes sense that businesses and a majority of the American people might not be in favor of changing union organizing rules to strip away a worker’s right to a secret ballot election. But what does it say about the Employee Free Choice Act when a former union organizer – someone whose job it was to grow union membership – thinks this policy is an affront to employees? “As a former union organize... Read more »
As the White House readies for tomorrow’s so-called jobs summit, skepticism is growing among Americans who believe the stimulus plan enacted earlier this year has failed, and more of the same government spending will fail to stem the rising tide of unemployment. “Obamanomics — the White House’s jumble of industrial policy, massive deficit spending and tax hikes — isn’t working. “There are now 15.7... Read more »
Good morning and thank you, Chairman Andrews. I would like to begin by thanking our two distinguished panels for appearing today. We appreciate that they have taken time out of their busy schedules to share their experiences and expertise with us. Today’s hearing marks an opportunity to examine the impact of Delphi Corporation’s bankruptcy on its workers and retirees. I look forward to hearing in ... Read more »
With December upon us, the first session of the 111th Congress is rapidly coming to a close. Interestingly, one of the year’s first legislative priorities among Democrats and their special interest allies remains unfinished business in these last weeks of the year. The so-called Employee Free Choice Act (better known as “card check” legislation) was supposed to be a shoo-in for enactment. That is,... Read more »
Led by Rep. Tom Price (R-GA), Republicans on the U.S. House Subcommittee on Health, Employment, Labor, and Pensions are calling for the head of the White House Auto Task Force to testify at a hearing this week on the bankruptcy of automotive parts manufacturer Delphi and its implications for workers and retirees. Republicans are using the single witness slot they have been allocated on the hearing... Read more »
