AFSCME workers to vote on union representation
In about a month, 20 secretaries, clerks, and administrators - all employees of one of the city's most storied unions - will participate in a National Labor Relations Board election to decide whether they want to be represented by a union themselves.
Ironically, their employer, longtime labor leader Henry Nicholas, declined to recognize the bargaining unit when he was presented with signed petition cards from a majority of the workers.
Will Mandates Create "Green Jobs"?
Yes, to answer the question posed by the title, the state can mandate the creation of "green jobs" via alternative energy mandates - just as it could mandate that utilities dig hole, and then fill them up, creating "brown jobs".
A new study, commissioned by the Community Foundation for the Alleghenies, claims that expanding alternative energy mandates through HB 80 will boost the economy and create jobs.
ObamaCare's latest bribe
It took two days of wrangling behind closed White House doors under the demanding gaze of big-labor bosses, but President Obama won a major health-care victory yesterday.
The same can't be said of America.
Lawsuit Abuse Obstructs Job Creation
Leave it to the plaintiffs' trial lawyers to add insult to injury. While American businesses and families spent 2009 coping with the effects of a severe recession, the plaintiffs' bar was hard at work bringing a whole new round of outrageous lawsuits on behalf of clients hoping to get rich quick by winning the litigation lottery. To chronicle some of the most egregious lawsuits, the U.S. Chamber Institute for Legal Reform (ILR) introduced its First Annual Most Ridiculous Lawsuit of the Year Poll.
Too much government burdens healthy free enterprise system
The economy is sending signals that it’s beginning to rebound from the worst financial crisis since the Great Depression. But for most Americans, true economic recovery will only occur when unemployment rates drop and job opportunities are readily available. So far, this is not occurring.
Unions Using Obamacare to Punish Small Business
When does Washington consider a successful small business a problem to be dealt with? When that small business successfully competes against unionized firms. Then it needs to be tied down with expensive red tape until it is no longer so successful.
Union troubled by Eagle Scout project in Allentown
In pursuit of an Eagle Scout badge, Kevin Anderson, 17, has toiled for more than 200 hours hours over several weeks to clear a walking path in an east Allentown park.
Little did the do-gooder know that his altruistic act would put him in the cross hairs of the city's largest municipal union.
PA Should Heed Europe's Experience with Renewables
Last month the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) released Pennsylvania's Climate Change Action plan. While touting the creation of "green jobs", it did not advocate increasing PA's Alternative Energy Portfolio Standards (the solution contained in HB 80) among its many recommendations. The Patriot-News noted, "The report stops short of recommending the expansion of the state's Alternative Energy Portfolio Standards, and it is ambivalent about whether to push for carbon capture and sequestration." Additionally the report raises questions about where the carbon would go and what it would cost.
Gingrich, Perry: Learn from the states on health reform
Congress is on the verge of enacting the largest unfunded mandate in American history. At a time when most states are struggling with rising unemployment, declining tax revenue and the worst national economic climate in 30 years, Congress is demonstrating that it is more out of touch than ever.
Entrepreneurs in Congress Say No to Health Care Reform
Yes, Virginia, there are entrepreneurs in Congress — 11 of them, in fact, were elected to the 111th Congress,* as best as we can determine. And, whether Republican or Democrat, they overwhelmingly voted against the health care reform bill that passed late Saturday night.
Cap and trade vs. Pa.: We can protect the environment without losing thousands of jobs
Two important and interrelated events occurred recently that mean bad news for tens of thousands of Pennsylvania workers and families.
School taxes in Pennsylvania may soar to pay for pension promises
Think your school taxes were high this year? Start saving for 2012-13.
Can’t Achieve Public Option Without Deception
Speaker Pelosi is set to unveil a health care bill today including yet another version of the so-called public option. This one would let providers “negotiate” reimbursement rates with the government-run program.
Lieberman says public plan must be 'off the table' to win his vote
Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.) would have to take a public option "off the table" to win Sen. Joe Lieberman's (I-Conn.) vote on a health bill.
Power players
One group, besides Goldman Sachs executives, has done well during the Great Recession-the public-sector unions that have become political powerhouses in Pennsylvania, New Jersey, New York, Washington, California, and a host of other states. They have become so powerful that they threaten the Madisonian system set up to constrain any one faction from overwhelming the public interest.
Labor's lackey
President Barack Obama says the big problem in Washington is that politicians focus on pleasing special interests at the expense of the general public. But his curious definition of "special interests" exempts one key political force: organized labor.
Specter's switch could force businesses to close
As a Pennsylvania business owner, I was stunned by Sen. Arlen Specter's sudden U-turn over his position on the Employee Free Choice Act (EFCA), or "card check" legislation, that robs workers of their fundamental American right to a secret-ballot election, allows a federal government arbitrator to dictate the terms of the union contract and, which studies have shown, could cause severe unemployment in our state.
Cooling off: time to take a different look at global warming
Hey, the weather is changing! Somehow, just in the last week or two, things have gotten rapidly cooler.
Oh wait, it’s called fall. Seems to happen every year around this time. Funny how weather seems to work in cycles.
Obama Admin: Cap And Trade Could Cost Families $1,761 A Year
The Obama administration has privately concluded that a cap and trade law would cost American taxpayers up to $200 billion a year, the equivalent of hiking personal income taxes by about 15 percent.
Card Check opponents unveil in Scranton national ad targeted at Senator Arlen Specter
One of the nation's leading anti-union lobbying groups has targeted Pennsylvania Sen. Arlen Specter, hoping to influence his vote on the so-called "card check" legislation that would make it easier for unions to organize.
'Card check' fight focuses on jobs, pay
Two GOP lawmakers and business leaders call the bill a job killer. But a labor leader said it would help unions revive the middle class.
Union Coalition to Run Employee Free Choice Act Ads This Weekend
The union coalition American Rights at Work will air cable television advertisements Labor Day weekend to reintroduce lawmakers to a top priority for organized labor: the Employee Free Choice Act.
"Employee Free Choice Act" battle renewed
The drawn-out battle over contentious pro-labor legislation is ramping up again as Congress returns to work this month.
Another union warning to Specter
Bloomberg reports today that Teamsters president James Hoffa is holding off on backing U.S. Sen. Arlen Specter in his reelection campaign against Joe Sestak, saying "it's time for him to stand up" for the Employee Free Choice Act.
Reid: ‘Card Check’ Not in the Cards
Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.) said Thursday that passing a controversial labor bill that would make it easier for employees to organize is no longer in the cards for the Senate, at least for now, according to the Las Vegas Review-Journal.
Labor leader says 'card check' will wait until after healthcare
A top labor official said Monday that President Obama and White House Chief of Staff Rahm Emanuel have indicated that they will not bring up "card check" legislation until after healthcare reform is done in Congress.
Another day, another position: Specter & cloture
The wildly turning political weather vane of U.S. Sen. Arlen Specter, D-If You Don't Like It Just Wait 15 Minutes, has spun again, putting him -- at least until further notice -- again on the wrong side of the Employee Free Choice Act.
Sen. Specter eyes compromise on Employee Free Choice Act
A spokesperson for Sen. Arlen Specter confirmed that he is going to join with other Democrats in voting for cloture on the Employee Free Choice Act.
OP-ED: EFCA sends wrong message to investors seeking favorable business climate
By Hon.Mitt Romney
EFCA still stinks
The so-called "compromise" to stalled federal legislation that would make it easier for unions to organize repackages the same snake oil that Big Labor and its congressional accomplices are determined to force on Americans.
Employee Free Choice Act will end up killing more U.S. jobs
In the article, "Labor leader speaks in support of Card Check bill," I would like to applaud Jerry Gorski of Associated Builders and Contractors and Nancy Keefer, president of the Chamber for their intuitive input into the misconceptions of Card Check legislation.
'Card check' left out of new labor bill
Specter, other Democrats are working with union leaders on measure he nearly doomed.
Deal likely, minus 'card check'
To salvage other gains, unions would relent on an organizing tool that business opposes.
Labor law reform is a union power grab
As the economy tries to rebound from the recession, organized labor's allies in Congress continue to push legislation that would hinder recovery.
Obama backs 'card check'
President Barack Obama told labor leaders yesterday he remains committed to passage of legislation making it easier to form unions, but he did not offer any timeline.
OP-ED: Hot air blowing 'round with energy bill
Imagine a bill in Harrisburg that required mortgage rates to be 6.33 percent by the year 2026. Wouldn’t you think the legislator who proposed it to be, I don’t know, insane?
Can you imagine anyone taking such a bill seriously? Of course not.
Poll: Specter's numbers dive since 'conversion'
The strong backing of Democratic Party leaders has done little to change slumping public support for the party's newest convert, U.S. Sen. Arlen Specter.
Private sector recycling works
It's time to get serious -- really serious -- about recycling.
Unions vs. Taxpayers
Across the private sector, workers are swallowing hard as their employers freeze salaries, cancel bonuses, and institute longer work days. America's employees can see for themselves how steeply business has fallen off, which is why many are accepting cost-saving measures with equanimity.
The 'Free Choice' Act Is Anything But
The recent news that Pennsylvania Sen. Arlen Specter has become a member of the Democratic caucus has given new life to legislation that many thought had been put to rest for this Congress -- the Employee Free Choice Act (EFCA).
Stern: 'Card Check is alive and well'
You know you've won the language wars when the other side gives up and starts using your language.
Unions 'important' in early 1900s
At a recent luncheon at the Manufacturer & Business Association, U.S. Rep. Kathy Dahlkemper, D-3rd Dist., and U.S. Rep. Glenn Thompson, R-5th Dist. discussed their views and experiences.
Free Choice Act hurts business
As a small-business owner, I hope to raise awareness about the undemocratic and politically driven Employee Free Choice Act.
New hope for stalled labor bill
Sen. Arlen Specter’s party switch is breathing new life into labor’s campaign to win new organizing rights for workers, an issue the business community hoped was stalled, if not killed.
No letup in card check lobbying
Despite faltering support for a bill that would make it easier for unions to organize, backers of the Employee Free Choice Act are continuing to push key Senators to move forward on the legislation.
Romney slams binding arbitration
Former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney (R) is involving himself in the debate over the Employee Free Choice Act, a measure that is a top priority for labor groups and the focus of a massive public lobbying campaign by business groups that oppose it.
U.S. Senate Democrat announces opposition to Union Card Check
Sen. Blanche Lincoln (Ark.) on Monday became the first Senate Democrat to oppose the card-check bill heavily backed by unions.
Protect workers' freedom of choice
A threat to democracy at a very basic level - in the workplace - has resurfaced in Congress. It is the Employee Free Choice Act, an inappropriately named bill if ever there was one.
Why Card Check Is Unconstitutional
. . . the debate has not focused on the other compelling interest at stake: the constitutionally protected right of employees to keep their opinions on controversial issues like unionization to themselves.
Specter Opposes Pro-Union Proposal
U.S. Sen. Arlen Specter said Tuesday he will vote to prevent legislation that would make it easier for unions to organize from coming to a Senate vote.
The Sounding Board: 'Yes' on 'card check' would be affront to all
I would advise Sen. Specter to tell his GOP supporters that the concept of someone's vote not being secret flies in the face of both common sense and the ''American way.''
Employee Free Choice Act Impinges On Freedom
Should business owners and employees be afraid of the proposed Employee Free Choice Act? Most people think it is a battle between fat cat business owners and blue-collar workers who are tired of seeing their jobs shifting overseas and shrinking salaries for average workers.
Proposed legislation fails to offer secret ballot for all workers - Harrisburg Patriot News Editorial
Congress should not approve the Employee Free Choice Act in its present form.
Act will remove 'freedom of choice'
I am having difficulty understanding why we protect our right to vote in private in government elections while the Employee Free Choice Act being promoted by organized labor takes the freedom of choice in private away from employees.
'Card check': A jobs-killing ruse
In a robust economy, the union-coddling Employee Free Choice Act would drain job creation. In a severely recessed economy, it would be a death knell.
Not 'Free Choice'
The proposed Employee Free Choice Act will take away the right of U.S. workers to have a secret-ballot vote on whether to join a union.
Sen. Specter made right decision for the right reason
Everyone following the Employee Free Choice Act was focused on how just one member of Congress would vote on the bill, known as the card-check bill.
Pa. labor offers Specter a deal
Bill George, said yesterday that he and other labor leaders have told Sen. Arlen Specter that they would help him survive a primary challenge next year if he supports legislation to make it easier to unionize workers
Employee Free Choice Act will cost U.S. economy 600,000 jobs in 2010
Increased Unemployment and Stifled Job Growth Will Claim Millions More in Decades to Come
Specter under microscope/should not support 'card-check' bill, Johnstown Tribune-Democrat
Sen. Arlen Specter could hold the key vote if the “Employee Free Choice Act” goes before the U.S. Senate later this year.
My party should respect secret union ballots, George McGovern, Wall Street Journal
"As a congressman, senator and one-time Democratic nominee for the presidency, I've participated in my share of vigorous public debates over issues of great consequence..."
