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 »
The Employee Free Choice Act could provoke a constitutional challenge if it becomes law. That’s what University of Chicago Law School professor Richard A. Epstein concludes after reviewing the proposal from a legal perspective. Writing in Regulation magazine, Epstein finds there are several constitutional problems with the act, also known as card check. For example, Epstein finds that because it f... Read more »
Thank you Madam Chair, Ranking Member Dreier, and members of the Committee. I appreciate the opportunity to provide testimony in support of my amendment to the American Clean Energy and Security Act. Our economy is changing, and so too must our workers. All Americans – whether they are just entering the job market or have been working for years – must be able to adapt to a greener, more technologi... Read more »
The proposal to conduct union organizing through a public card signing process is surely the most infamous provision of the so-called Employee Free Choice Act. In fact, it’s where the bill gets its better-known nickname, “card check.” The provision has come under fire because of its obvious potential to harm workers by denying them the privacy and protection of a secret ballot election. It’s a wel... Read more »
Republicans proposed comprehensive reforms to improve retirement savings opportunities for workers today, arguing that workers need access to understandable and meaningful information about their 401(k) and other retirement savings vehicles. Congressional Democrats rejected the GOP proposals, instead advancing partisan legislation that Republicans warned could drive up costs for workers while redu... Read more »
Led by Rep. John Kline (R-MN), Republicans on the House Education and Labor Committee today raised alarm about new grant funding being offered under the economic stimulus package enacted earlier this year, arguing that the Administration is unnecessarily limiting opportunities for workers by providing funding only to union-affiliated recipients. “If the Administration is serious about economic rec... Read more »
Rep. John Kline (R-MN) was elected today to serve as the top Republican on the U.S. House Education and Labor Committee. Kline was recommended for the post last week by members of the House Republican Steering Committee and received the endorsement of the full GOP Conference in a vote held this morning. “It is a privilege and an honor to be selected to lead Republicans on the Education and Labor C... Read more »
Thank you, Chairman Miller and good morning. We’re here today to look at a bill that could have widespread consequences for millions of current and future retirees. It deserves a serious debate, and I hope that’s what we’ll give it. As I understand it, H.R. 2989 is a combination of two bills we looked at in subcommittee last week, with the notable addition of some limited defined benefit reforms f... Read more »
