Labor & Employment Law

Anti-Union Rep Admits His Group Opposes Majority Rule

By Tula Connell

The vice president for one of the nation’s most anti-union, anti-worker organizations showed what we knew all along: Those fighting workers and their unions oppose the democratic process. 

During a hearing yesterday on a House bill to expand bargaining rights for the police and firefighters, Rep. Phil Hare (D-Ill.) exposed the myths and lies spun by the Big Brother-named National Right to Work Committee.

Doug Stafford, the group’s vice president, attempted to portray the bill as forcing “monopoly bargaining on every police and firefighter.”

Hare, a former president of and steward for his union, would have none of it.

The bill provides unions only will be established in places where a majority of officers and firefighters choose to form one, is that correct?

Stafford:

I believe that’s true, however….

Hare:

Can you point to anywhere in this bill that would force this union into existence against the wishes of majority?

Stafford:

Against the majority, no, but what about the other 49 percent?

Hare:

All of us are elected here by majority. I would assume, that wouldn’t be the majority rule? I mean if the majority of these folks want [a union], you’d find a problem with that?

Stafford:

Yes.

Case closed.

Full post as published by AFL-CIO NOW BLOG on March 11, 2010 (boomark / email).