According to an article in the Columbia Free Times, the taxpayers of South Carolina will be paying for an anti-union law firm to represent the state in a lawsuit by the Machinists Union:
Assisting the state’s defense in the lawsuit is the labor and employment law firm Ogletree Deakins. Because the union also recently sued labor agency director Templeton in her personal capacity as well, the firm will also represent her personally, according to firm attorney Ashley Cuttino.
Templeton formerly worked there and its website touts her 14 years of experience in “union avoidance,” including national campaigns against several major national unions. Cuttino says she no longer works for the firm.
One union organizer isn’t happy with the firm’s role in the suit.
“Here’s the good ‘ol boy system at work,” says Donna DeWitt, president of the state chapter of the AFL/CIO. “[Templeton] is being sued, so she’s going to hire her former law firm to represent her, who’s going to be paid for by the state of South Carolina.
Southern Territory General Vice President Bob Martinez responded to the actions of the Governor’s office: “Paying huge fees to anti-union lawyers to represent the Governor and her union-busting labor secretary during tough economic times is an insult to the working taxpayers of South Carolina. The Governor not only pledges to use tax money to keep unions out and wages low in South Carolina, but they then use the tax money of the working families of South Carolina to shovel lots of money to fat-cat lawyers who in turn bankroll the campaigns for the Governor.”
“That’s what you call ‘adding insult to injury’ to the South Carolina Worker,” said GVP Martinez.
The text of the lawsuit can be found here.
