Posts tagged Amendment 1
‘We love our jobs, we love our customers, but that comes at a sacrifice’ | Workers across East Tennessee lead efforts to unionize
November 8, 2022 // Labor union organizing in East Tennessee dates back to the nineteenth century. At the time, workers in factories and mines demanded better pay, safer workplaces and job security. Fast forward more than a century and those now known as "essential workers" of the COVID-19 pandemic have similar demands.
US elections will gauge support for unionization in two states
November 1, 2022 // The most significant drive for labor unionization in the United States since the early 1970s will be put to the test in the upcoming midterm elections. Voters in Illinois and Tennessee are being asked to decide on two antithetical visions of the future of organized labor: the right to collective bargaining versus the right to work. The latter allows individual workers to choose whether or not to join a union, and frees non-members from paying compulsory union dues. Illinois wants to do away with right-to-work laws while Tennessee wants to amend its state constitution to include right-to-work provisions like nine other states. Across the US, 27 states have enacted various right-to-work laws, evidence that the country’s divisive polarization extends to labor relations.
MADIGAN’S ARRAIGNMENT OVER AT&T BRIBERY CHARGES SET FOR NOV. 1
October 28, 2022 // Since acknowledging the scheme to curry favor with Madigan by trading legal contracts to his law firm, offering little- or no-work jobs for political pals, reserving internships for preferred candidates and advancing a Madigan ally to the company’s board of directors, ComEd also agreed to pay $200 million in restitution. Illinois labor unions contributed $10 million over 26 years to campaign funds under Madigan’s control. He responded by building up union power and a generous public pension system that Illinois taxpayers cannot afford.
COOK COUNTY COLLEGE TEACHERS UNION SETS STRIKE DATE BEFORE OCTOBER’S END
October 26, 2022 // Cook County College Teachers Union leaders said they will announce a strike date to members Oct. 24 ahead of planned informational pickets at city colleges and a strike rally set for Oct. 27. The work stoppage would keep 77,000 students out of classes. The strike authorized by 92% of CCCTU members Oct. 6 would shut down Chicago’s seven community colleges and satellite sites to secure contract concessions for greater housing security and child care options for students, in addition to reducing class sizes and increasing staff salaries.
Illinois: Concerns raised Amendment 1 could open door to public safety strikes
October 21, 2022 // Supporters say Amendment 1 aims to codify collective bargaining rights in Illinois for wages, work conditions, and other issues. Opponents say that the amendment would lead to higher property taxes for residents. The Illinois Municipal League argues against the measure, saying if approved, it could lead to strikes among emergency workers. The measure will be on the ballot for the Nov. 8 election. The question requires either three-fifths approval of those voting on the question or a simple majority of all votes cast in the election to be enacted.
3RD ANNIVERSARY OF 2019 CHICAGO TEACHERS UNION STRIKE GIVES GLIMPSE OF AMENDMENT 1
October 19, 2022 // The Chicago Teachers Union has a history of demanding contract provisions far beyond wages and benefits. If Amendment 1 passes in November, government unions such as CTU will have a right to demand virtually anything and go on strike to get those demands met.
Two states, two visions for the future of labor “Right-to-work” is on the ballot.
October 3, 2022 // Two economic papers published in the last year also reached different conclusions about the consequences of right-to-work laws. The first found right-to-work laws associated with increased manufacturing employment, increased employment, and greater upward mobility. The second found that right-to-work laws lower wages and unionization rates.
EP. 53: ILLINOIS VS. TENNESSEE
September 29, 2022 //
Tennessee’s Amendment 1 would add right-to-work to state’s constitution, unions oppose it
September 26, 2022 // "Through unions, employees can be forced to join something that they disagree with," said Justin Owen, the president of the Beacon Center of Tennessee, a conservative think tank. "That violates their freedom of association and should ultimately be left up to the individual. Tennessee has a complicated constitutional amendment process. For Amendment 1 to pass, it must receive more yes votes than no votes. In addition, the number of yes votes must also be greater than 50% of all the votes cast in the governor's election.
ILLINOIS’ PUBLIC PENSION MESS SHOWS THREAT OF UNCHECKED GOVERNMENT UNION POWER
September 19, 2022 // Amendment 1 would be the pension clause on steroids. This amendment would place pensions and every term in a public union collective bargaining agreement above state laws. That would include issues commonly bargained over such as wages and working conditions, plus add broad new subjects that encompass virtually any and every public union demand.