Posts tagged House Committee on Education and the Workforce
US House Votes to Repeal Labor Board Rule on Contract, Franchise Workers
January 16, 2024 // The Republican-led U.S. House of Representatives on Friday voted to repeal a federal labor board rule set to take effect in February that would treat companies as the employers of many contract and franchise workers and require them to bargain with those workers’ unions. The House voted 206-177 to nix the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) rule, which has been heavily criticized by business groups. The vote sends the proposal to the Senate where Democrats hold a one-seat majority but Senator Joe Manchin, a Democrat from West Virginia, has said he opposes the rule.
Biden vows veto if Congress moves to repeal NLRB rule on contract, franchise workers
January 10, 2024 // The rule replaced a Trump-era regulation requiring companies to have "direct and immediate" control over workers in order to be considered joint employers, which was favored by business groups. "Reversing this rulemaking will prevent workers from exercising their right to bargain for higher wages, better benefits, and safer working conditions," the OMB said on Monday. "Too often, companies deny workers this right by hiding behind subcontractors, staffing agencies, and temporary agencies." The House Committee on Education and the Workforce approved the resolution for a vote last month. The federal Congressional Review Act allows Congress to repeal agency rules within 60 days of their adoption. The resolution only needs the support of a majority in the House and Senate to pass, but would require a two-thirds majority to overcome a Biden veto.
East Bay-Area Fire Safety Inspector Prevails in Case Against IUOE Union for Illegal Firing
January 8, 2024 // In October, Le filed federal charges at National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) Region 32 in Oakland, CA, stating that IUOE union officials illegally demanded she join the union as a condition of keeping her job and instigated her firing by CTS when she refused to join. Le, who works in fire and life safety as a firestop inspector, also noted in her charges that IUOE officials failed to inform her of her right to abstain from formal union membership, and never notified her of her right to pay a reduced amount of union dues as a nonmember. According to her charges, company and union officials began deducting full union dues directly from her paycheck without her permission, and deducted a dues amount that included union political expenses and other costs not legally chargeable to workers who aren’t formal union members.
U.S. House Holds Hearing Today on Landmark Worker Freedom Bill
December 1, 2023 // The one-page bill, which is currently cosponsored by 117 members of the House of Representatives, would end Big Labor’s federally authorized power to force workers to pay union dues or fees as a condition of employment. Poll after poll demonstrates that 70% to 80% of Americans (or higher) consistently express support for the Right to Work principle that union membership and financial support should be the choice of every individual employee. Testifying before the Subcommittee alongside National Right to Work Committee President Mark Mix were two employees who have successfully challenged illegal union boss practices with free legal aid from the National Right to Work Legal Defense Foundation.
Trojan Horse Alert: Teamsters Using Dirty Tricks to Unionize CT Businesses
July 12, 2023 // The Teamsters Local 671, of Bloomfield, is teaming up with the Connecticut Democratic Socialists of America (DSA) to recruit individuals to infiltrate businesses with the explicit objective of unionizing the workplace. In a June 23 email, the organizations invited their “comrades” to a virtual meeting, posing questions such as “Are you looking for a job?” and “Do you want intensive organizing training?” They then emphasized “that it is the right time” to engage in “SALTING” — the act of intentionally taking a job at a workplace with the goal of unionizing. The meeting — called “Salting Information Session” — was held on Thursday (June 29) where organizers covered the basics of salting and union organizing; why socialists should salt; and how socialists are currently salting in Connecticut (but they did not specify where).
Biden’s ‘American dream’ nominee would unleash a nightmare
June 20, 2023 // As mothers, caregivers, trauma survivors, and entrepreneurs, women seek nontraditional, flexible work for many reasons. They overwhelmingly choose to pursue independent contracting for greater flexibility ; more control over their schedule, work location, and financial future; and better work-life balance over traditional jobs. Su lacks direct experience running a small business. Leaning on her parents’ or extended family’s small business experience is not enough. Leading the Labor Department would place critical management responsibilities, plus regulatory authority over businesses of all sizes, in her hands. Her record in California exposed other severe leadership weaknesses .