Most Republicans in the House of Representatives voted today to strip the rights of rail and airline workers at the behest of their corporate buddies. Namely FedEx and Delta Airlines whose employees are currently attempting to join unions. Word on the hill is the Republicans who gutted our rights are in line for substantial contributions from FedEx and Delta.
In an FAA bill that would create much-needed jobs, most Republicans used it to degrade the voting rights of rail and airline workers trying to join a union by treating non votes as “no” votes. The objective of those who propose this legislation is union busting – plain and simple. The hypocrisy of the advocates of this legislation is staggering. Not one of them would have been elected had their proposed standard been applied to their own election.
TCU President Bob Scardelletti said, “Our members should know the name of each and every person that voted for or against this provision and make their votes count in any upcoming elections. If this gets through the full Congress thank God President Obama has our back.”
“I would like to extend a personal thank you to Representative LaTourette (R-OH) who sponsored this amendment and the other 15 Republicans that took a tough stand against tremendous pressure from the GOP leadership in the House. These members of Congress voted their conscience and that of their constituents and stood for the rights of rail and airline workers” continued President Scardelletti. “TCU commends all 206 members that voted yes and specifically thank Representatives: Diaz-Balart (R-FL), Emerson (R-MO), Gibson (R-NY), Grimm (R-NY), Johnson (R-IL), Jones (R-NC), King (R-NY), LoBiondo (R-NJ), Platts (R-PA), Reichert (R-WA), Rivera (R-FL), Ros-Lehtinen (R-FL), Runyan (R-NJ), Smith (R-NJ) and Young (R-IN), your dedication to fairness and democracy and putting that above party lines will not be forgotten.
The White House has warned that President Obama will veto the FAA bill if this provision is included. A statement from the White House stated, “If the President is presented with a bill that would not safeguard the ability of railroad and airline workers to decide whether or not they would be represented by a union based upon a majority of the ballots cast in an election or that would degrade safe and efficient air traffic, his senior advisers would recommend that he veto the bill.”
President Scardelletti said, “Words cannot express how extremely important this matter is; particularly in the airline industry where several mergers have recently occurred. The White House ‘Statement of Administration Policy’, dated March 30, 2011, clearly demonstrates President Obama’s unwavering commitment to have American Workers treated fairly and with dignity and respect.”
Click here to view the voting record of this amendment; the ones who voted yes were trying to keep union election rules fair and the no votes were trying to make union representation elections un-democratic.
Click here to view the statement from the White House.
Click here to view the response from TTD.
