The Labor Rights Act (On President's Desk)

[minionofmidas]

The Labor Rights Act

1) The Labor–Management Relations Act of 1947, informally known as the Taft-Hartley Act, is hereby repealed.


Sponsor: Happy

[Associate Justice PiT]

     No.

[Meeker]

Hooray!

[Kaine for Senate '18]

Hooray!

[Filuwaúrdjan]

I suspect that there's no way in hell that we'll be able to get all restrictions (or even "any") on the closed shop lifted and I suspect that it's not going to be worth the hassle trying. Other elements of Taft-Hartley though... and it's not as though more democracy (on all sides, frankly) would be a bad thing... the two could easily be linked together...

An amendment will be up here some time tomorrow; probably late afternoon my time.

[Associate Justice PiT]

I suspect that there's no way in hell that we'll be able to get all restrictions (or even "any") on the closed shop lifted and I suspect that it's not going to be worth the hassle trying. Other elements of Taft-Hartley though... and it's not as though more democracy (on all sides, frankly) would be a bad thing... the two could easily be linked together...

An amendment will be up here some time tomorrow; probably late afternoon my time.

     Quite correct, Al. Write an amendment that will ensure that closed shops remain illegal & even blanket-ban union shops & I will most likely vote aye on this bill.

[Torie]

Why should I have to belong to a union to get a job with a unionized company?  It's anti freedom of conscience. No.

[Associate Justice PiT]

Why should I have to belong to a union to get a job with a unionized company?  It's anti freedom of conscience. No.

     That's the reason why Taft-Hartley is a necessity for a healthy country. Nothing short of the assurance of all closed/union shops being banned will make me consider repealing it.

[AndrewTX]

for rlyz? wow. hmmm

[HappyWarrior]

Just to let everyone know I will most likely accept Al's amendment as friendly.

[Filuwaúrdjan]

Amendment...

---

2. The system of workplace organisation known informally as the "closed shop" shall be banned throughout the Republic of Atlasia.

3. Union security clauses will remain legal in theory, but may be restricted by Regional governments. This section is not to be construed as one allowing Regional governments to ban, restrict or otherwise inconvenience collective bargaining; a constitutionally protected right.

4. Industrial action shall only be legal if it is approved of in a democratically conducted vote of the relevant Union members. No attempt may be made by Employers, or by bodies or agencies or individuals acting formally or informally on behalf of Employers, to influence this vote in any way.

5. All formal positions within Unions must be subject to election on a regular basis. Individual terms may not last for longer than six years. All internal Union elections must conducted according to democratic norms. No attempt may be made by Employers, or by bodies or agencies or individuals acting formally or informally on behalf of Employers, to influence internal Union elections in any way.

6. A National Arbitration Officer is to be appointed to enforce this Act by means of formal prosecutions, to deal with formal complaints (made under this Act) against Unions and Employers and also, when appropriate, to act as a third party in formal negotiations (as an alternative to using the Courts). The NAO may not hold federal or regional office. The appointment of the NAO shall be conducted in the normal manner and must be approved by the Senate.

7. The NAO shall have the power to force all parties to enter arbitration if a dispute has lasted for longer than three weeks. Arbitration shall be, unless otherwise agreed, non-binding and the process may be terminated, by either party, if no agreement is reached within two weeks.

8. Breach of this Act shall be a criminal offense, punishable by either a fine of 15% of the guilty party's annual income or, in the case of individuals found violating Sections 4 and 5 of this Act or of Article VI, Section 10 of the Constitution, by up to five years imprisonment in a federal penitentiary. Prosecutions shall be conducted by the NAO and shall be heard first by the relevant Regional Court (if any) or by the Supreme Court if there is no Regional Court.

[DownWithTheLeft]

Al's amendment is a surprisingly good compromise, however, I cannot vote a bill that includes Section 1

[Associate Justice PiT]

     Quite satisfactory. I would have preferred it to be more pro-business, though I can see that section 3 was written to be shameless pandering to the right-of-center Senators (which I like ).

     I'll probably vote aye if this amendment succeeds.

[Associate Justice PiT]

     Where's the sergeant-at-arms when you need him?

[Associate Justice PiT]

     Nah, Excelsior District.

[minionofmidas]

Just to let everyone know I will most likely accept Al's amendment as friendly.

...paging Happy... do you accept it as friendly?

[minionofmidas]

I fouled up when introducing this btw. The free slot was for "forum affairs or emergency legislation".
Oh well. Consider repealing Taft-Hartley in these times of crisis an "emergency".

[HappyWarrior]

Just to let everyone know I will most likely accept Al's amendment as friendly.

...paging Happy... do you accept it as friendly?

Sorry yes, I've been very busy with finals the past couple days.

[Kaine for Senate '18]

Consider repealing Taft-Hartley in these times of crisis an "emergency".

[minionofmidas]

Just to let everyone know I will most likely accept Al's amendment as friendly.

...paging Happy... do you accept it as friendly?

Sorry yes, I've been very busy with finals the past couple days.

Not a prob.

Senators have 24 hours to object.

[minionofmidas]

Noone did.

[minionofmidas]

Rightie. Final Vote.

Please vote Aye, Nay or Abstain.

Aye.

[Filuwaúrdjan]

Aye

[DownWithTheLeft]

Abstain

[Torie]

Nay. This exercise in micro management is doomed to disappoint. The penalty provisions seem arbitrary. What is wrong with the status quo?