As congressional Democrats scramble to finalize the massive health care overhaul they plan to push through the U.S. House of Representatives this month, questions continue to mount about the consequences of their plan for American families. Independent analyses have already proven that the so-called “government option” is not going to be optional for the millions of Americans who will lose the hea... Read more »
With Al Franken scheduled to be sworn in this week as the 60th Senator who will caucus with Democrats, speculation has exploded about legislative prospects for the card check ploy. Congressional observers are well-versed on the political pitfalls that have so far stymied card check’s enactment. The plan – which requires union certification without the protection of a secret ballot election and cou... Read more »
The U.S. Department of Labor’s monthly jobs report was released this morning, and the news wasn’t good. An additional 467,000 Americans lost their jobs in the month of June, and the unemployment rate ticked upward to 9.5 percent. Policymakers in Washington should be focused on policies that will enable job creation and promote economic recovery. At a minimum, it seems obvious that lawmakers should... Read more »
The U.S. Department of Labor reported this morning a loss of 467,000 jobs in the month of June, bringing the unemployment rate to 9.5 percent, its highest level in more than a quarter-century. Rep. John Kline (R-MN), the House Education and Labor Committee’s Senior Republican Member, issued the following statement: “Today’s employment report is a somber reminder that American families are hurting;... Read more »
As speculation continues to mount about efforts to advance an alternative version of the controversial Employee Free Choice Act, the legislation’s call for forced government contracts has come under increasing fire. In today’s Washington Examiner, a former Labor Department official explains how the arbitration proposal contained in the card check plan differs from better-known forms of voluntary a... Read more »
The irony was obvious in last week’s report that the Service Employees International Union is seeking to toss out signed union authorization cards on the basis that workers were intimidated or misled by a card check union sign-up. After all, the SEIU is a very public backer of the so-called Employee Free Choice Act, a bill that would amend federal law to require union certification through the pub... Read more »
Rep. John Kline (R-MN), the U.S. House Education and Labor Committee’s Senior Republican Member, today announced new Republican leaders for two of the panel’s five subcommittees. Rep. Tom Price (R-GA), an orthopaedic surgeon, has been named the ranking Republican on the Health, Employment, Labor, and Pensions Subcommittee. The subcommittee’s responsibilities include nearly all matters dealing with... Read more »
As Members of Congress return to their congressional districts for Independence Day, workers all across the country may be breathing a sigh of relief. After all, it’s nearly July and still, the card check scheme remains mired in controversy. For workers who value their privacy, there’s relief in the appearance that card check isn’t going to become law anytime soon. At least, that’s what many worke... Read more »
Although the card check plan has stumbled under the weight of widespread public opposition, its special interest advocates continue to claim that this undemocratic plan is necessary to prevent intimidation and coercion in the workplace. As evidence, they cite statistics purporting to show illegal behavior by employers. But as today’s Pittsburgh Tribune-Review explains, the numbers just don’t add u... Read more »
Rep. John Kline (R-MN), the U.S. House Education and Labor Committee’s Senior Republican Member, today harshly criticized congressional Democrats for blocking a House vote on a proposal that would expand job training opportunities for workers in energy efficiency and renewable energy professions. “Once again, Democrats have silenced the minority in an effort to cater to their special interest alli... Read more »
