SB 2017-137: Atlasian Workers' Restoration Act (Passed) (user search)
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  SB 2017-137: Atlasian Workers' Restoration Act (Passed) (search mode)
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Author Topic: SB 2017-137: Atlasian Workers' Restoration Act (Passed)  (Read 1508 times)
PPT Spiral
Spiral
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Bosnia and Herzegovina


« on: October 09, 2017, 10:58:19 PM »

Sorry, everyone. Rough last two days. Tongue

This bill is meant to empower Atlasia's workers by reassuring that the right to unionize won't be under assault. Taft-Hartley gave way to states passing 'right-to-work' laws, which creates a free-rider problem of sorts: For unionized workplaces that comply with right-to-work, workers won't have to pay membership dues yet still receive the perks of membership. This reduces the bargaining power of unions due to fewer resources. Other provisions in the act also act to limit the influence of unions. It was passed during a time when fears of communism were rampant, and organized labor was seen as a big target for those sentiments. Times have changed drastically since 1947: Unions have far less clout now with diminishing membership, and wages have stagnated with that. This has reshaped our economy for the worse since unions affect virtually every industry out there. It's time to do whatever we can to reverse those trends and give workers the tools they need to help themselves, and the rest of the country along with them.
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PPT Spiral
Spiral
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Bosnia and Herzegovina


« Reply #1 on: October 12, 2017, 01:36:25 AM »

It should also be noted that there's already been legislation that I've signed that already takes care of some of the concerns addressed by Senator Spiral:
The POWER Act
https://uselectionatlas.org/FORUM/index.php?topic=272198.msg5845011#msg5845011

So it seems that by doing this, it's solving a problem that no longer exists.

The POWER Act was a great bill and I'm glad it's now law. Like you said, though, that bill addressed some of my concerns. The decline of organized labor is a structural issue and not one that will be solved in a short time or with only one piece of legislation. Like any big problem, we should try tackling it from all fronts to see what sticks, and we'll hopefully see immense progress over time with our efforts.

I will respond to Speaker Yankee and Senator ZuWo during daytime, for now I must hibernate.
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PPT Spiral
Spiral
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Posts: 4,535
Bosnia and Herzegovina


« Reply #2 on: October 18, 2017, 11:25:37 AM »

I think we should amend and modernize Taft-Hartley, not repeal it. I agree with Senator Spiral when says it is not 1947, but it is also not 1933-1946 either.

The economy has changed and the biggest thing that has crippled unions was not Taft-Hartley. Unions reached their peak in the 25 years following its passage. What crippled public unions was the intense competition and threat of stiff competition from foreign production and second of all the the strong push to outsource manufacturing as a way to combat that.

Public sector unions began their sharp decline in the 1970's, with the decline in manufacturing. That is why most of the labor movement is now focused on public sector unions, where there is no outsourcing/foreign competition risk and the people on the other side of the negotiating table is politicians who in many cases are elected by the unions, which is frankly disturbing in that there is no counter argument at all and the taxpayers get hosed.

I have always been somewhat of a moderate on labor issues within the Federalist Party, as Senator Spiral will recall back when he was a libertarian and voting to my right on the issue four years ago. Tongue But that being said, I think, while the objective is noble, I think this is the wrong way to address the problem in question.

As always, you have quite the long memory. Wink You're right that Taft-Hartley wasn't a stake through the heart of unions, since they still grew in the following decades, but the effect of this legislation is arguably stronger now than a period like the '60s. The reason for that is how diminished public sector unions are now compared to then. Outsourcing and the other major changes of the Atlasian economy have indeed left us in a place where workers aren't nearly as secure as before, and I hope we can address those issues together with separate legislation in the near future. For the time being, however, the crux of Taft-Hartley's passing has been made irrelevant: It was meant to prevent labor from overtaking industry at a time when unions were rapidly expanding. Is that still true today?

Since, as has been stated, we passed the Power Act not too long ago, will this bill have any additional meaningful impact?

This bill would legalize union shops nationwide, thereby rolling back right-to-work laws. Another provision of Taft-Hartley limits the liability of employers toward supervisors who engage in harassment of union members.
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PPT Spiral
Spiral
Atlas Politician
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Posts: 4,535
Bosnia and Herzegovina


« Reply #3 on: November 16, 2017, 03:50:52 AM »

I suppose we can go forward with a final vote now, since this has been quiet for a while.
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PPT Spiral
Spiral
Atlas Politician
YaBB God
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Posts: 4,535
Bosnia and Herzegovina


« Reply #4 on: November 19, 2017, 02:39:45 AM »

Aye
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