NE2: The Works Councils Act (Failed)

[cinyc]

The Works Councils Act

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Sponsor: Representative Earthling

Debate on this bill will remain open for 72 hours, or until around 8:15PM on Sunday, January 26, unless modified or extended.  The sponsor, Rep. Earthling, is encouraged to speak on behalf of the bill within the next 36 hours.  If he does not, the bill will be tabled and we will move on the next bill, as there is proposed legislation in the queue.

The floor is open for debate.

[Deus Naturae]

When it says that work for the Works Council must be compensated, does that mean that the company or the Works Council itself must fund this compensation?

Will the company be required to fund all operations, facilities, and other requests of the Works Council? Is there a limit to what the Works Council can request in terms of funding?

When it says that the Works Council has the right to "appeal decisions made by the Board of Directors to the courts," it is only referring to decisions that under current law are illegal, correct? Would the Works Council be able to appeal a completely legal business decision if that decision was unpopular and, in their view, damaging to the interests of workers?

[Cincinnatus]

I feel like the Sponsor is trying to reinvent the wheel here.  What is this "work council"?  It seems to have a very similar purpose as a...union, perhaps?  Why are we imposing strict controls on the workers right to assemble?  The workers right to organize without government restraint, which this unnecessarily imposes.

If the sponsor wishes to give a governing body that represents workers more power (i.e. union), let's focus on that, rather than a bill that is likely to only receive one vote in the affirmative.  

[Lincoln Republican]

I'm sorry, but along with the accurate statements from Representatives Deus and Cincinnatus, it seems to me that this bill, if enacted, would be a burden on companies in the Northeast.

Some companies are struggling to become or remain profitable, and keep their workers employed.  They do not need the added burden of a Works Council complicating their lives with extra costs, time spent meeting instead of working, threats of court action, seeking the advice of experts.

Whose experts?  Who determines if these individuals are experts?  Who pays for these experts?  Why should any company lose this decision making authority in their company?  

I cannot support this bill.

Representative Earthling, I believe you mean well and that your heart is in the right place, but this bill is counter productive in my view.

[Earthling]

I will react at length when I will have the opportunity to do so. But this is not a union, I don't believe it will add a new burden on the company and council will mostly work during work hours so the members of the council will be paid their normal salary.
Creating a Works Council is meant to bring employees and employers closer to eachother. By giving employees a bigger voice in the company it could actually reduce strikes.

[Earthling]

I need more time to be able to defend this proposal. I am open for amendments to this bill.

[cinyc]

I don't see myself supporting this bill in any form. I don't support putting more burdens and bureaucracy on the Northeast's business owners.

[cinyc]

I need more time to be able to defend this proposal. I am open for amendments to this bill.

How much more time do you need?  Currently, there is only about 6 hours left in the debate period.  You need to make a formal motion to extend debate if you need more than the 6 hours.

[cinyc]

The debate period is over.  Seeing no proposed amendments or formal motion to extend debate, we will vote on the bill as originally drafted:

The Works Councils Act

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This vote will be open for the earlier of 48 hours or when all Representatives have voted.

[cinyc]

Nay

[Deus Naturae]

Nay

[Lincoln Republican]

Nay

[Adam Griffin]

Aye

[cinyc]

By a vote of 1-3 with one absence, the bill fails.