Is the United States ready for a new labor model, one more grounded in freedom of association and individual liberty? That's the central thrust of the Evergreen Freedom Foundation's new book -- Sweeping the Shop Floor -- for which I was honored to be a contributor. EFF labor policy analyst Rachel Culbertson joined me and my Independence Institute colleague Mike Krause for a conversation to whet your appetite for the book. Click the play button below (or follow this link) to listen to the 12-minute iVoices podcast: For more detail on the book's argument about how we can give workers more freedom in designing a labor model for the 21st Century and how it might work in Colorado public education and other government agencies, check … [Read more...]
Michael Bennet Gets Some Small Redemption from SEIU Endorsement
A good reminder that not only is Big Labor anything but monolithic but also that the Democrats potentially face a very competitive primary for Colorado's U.S. Senate seat: The Service Employees International Union (SEIU) has endorsed the Appointed One, Michael Bennet. While rival Andrew Romanoff has won backing from the Teamsters and UFCW, Bennet at least finally has gained something for putting his neck out to try to ram Obama Care through Congress. Interestingly, The Atlantic (edited by Michael Bennet's brother) reports the same story about the SEIU endorsement and then selectively notes: … [Read more...]
It Stinks to Be Michael Bennet: Andrew Romanoff Nets Big Labor Backing
It really stinks to be the Appointed One these days. As if trailing all potential Republican rivals in the polls (including Jane Norton by double digits) wasn't bad enough for junior U.S. Senator Michael Bennet. Then Bennet sticks out his neck, kowtows to Barack Obama to cast a losing vote for Craig Becker and back-door union card-check, only to get this news shortly thereafter: … [Read more...]
Both Private and Public Colo. Union Numbers Drop to Historic Lows
A couple weeks ago I pointed out the historic statistical fact that government employees now make up a raw majority of all unionized workers in the USA. In addition, Colorado's union membership and density (which includes workers covered by a union contract, regardless of whether they join as members or not) are at historic lows for the past quarter century, and thus presumably for many decades before that as well. Only 7 percent of Colorado workers are union members, and 8.3 percent are covered by a union contract. Now Barry Hirsch and David Macpherson, the good folks who run UnionStats.com, have pored through Labor Department data and broken down state-level data between public and private sector employment. Did Colorado follow … [Read more...]
One Reason CO Loves CA: Letting Teachers Know Membership Options
It's Friday, a fun time for Colorado Republicans to zing Gov. Bill Ritter for declaring February 12 "Colorado Loves California Day." I get the humor of all the possibilities. It was last year about this time I made the same point. But I want to take a different tack, and point out one small reason to love California: Larry Sand and the California Teachers Empowerment Network (CTEN) -- which very recently was featured in Townhall magazine for its success in letting Golden State teachers know about their various membership options. Yes, Colorado loves California in this regard, because we too through the Independence Institute have the Independent Teachers website, which lets teachers in our own backyard know about their membership … [Read more...]
Michael Bennet Kowtows to Left, Casts Losing Vote for Backdoor Card Check
Update, 2:45 PM: Politico picks up on the story, too, noting that Bennet's vote "could have significant repercussions for his election campaign." A strong sign that Colorado's Appointed One, junior U.S. Senator Michael Bennet, is feeling the primary heat from Andrew Romanoff. Kowtowing to President Obama, the SEIU and Big Labor: Bennet was one of the 52 Democratic votes to confirm Craig Becker to the National Labor Relations Board. The good news? Becker's confirmation was defeated. The man is an SEIU attorney with avowedly radical, anti-individual rights views that would trample under foot the rights of business owners and workers who would rather not toe the line for labor leaders. A vote for Craig Becker was a vote for backdoor … [Read more...]
Colorado WINS State Union Using Coercive Tactics to Grow Membership?
Ever since Governor Bill Ritter signed the executive order laying out a welcome mat to unionize state government, I've wondered if and when the Colorado WINS labor organizing coalition would lobby for the Democratic majority in state government to entrench their status through legislation. Given the state of the budget and the tons of political capital Democrats are spilling to push through their series of tax hikes -- one of which is even opposed by Pueblo labor interests -- prospects for comprehensive union legislation have faded dramatically. But Colorado WINS has other means to extend its reach, and grow its dues-paying membership base, inside Colorado government. As Dave Ohmart of Colorado LOSES points out, reluctant state … [Read more...]
Craig Becker Confirmation Vote: Michael Bennet Not Off Hook on Card Check
Last night on my guest co-hosting gig for Backbone Radio, we discussed not only the growing trend of government workers beginning to dominate the union movement. But the subject also came up about the Obama administration's efforts to backdoor the so-called Employee Free Choice Act (aka card check) through the appointment of SEIU lackey Craig Becker. One advantage of this approach? Fellow Democrats in Congress like the indecisive appointed junior U.S. Senator Michael Bennet wouldn't have to take an obvious position that either offends the Obama administration or the overwhelming number of Coloradans (and a majority of Colorado union members) opposed to this destructive proposal to re-write labor laws. It would just add to the … [Read more...]
Government Workers Now the Majority Among U.S. Union Members
A startling statistical development emerged last Friday, that you may have missed if you weren't paying attention too closely. New data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics show that for the first time in U.S. history there are more union members working in government than working in the private sector. I sat down yesterday for a 9-minute iVoices podcast conversation with Brian Johnson, executive director of the Alliance for Worker Freedom, to explore the effects of the changing labor movement on the fight for liberty and limited government. Follow the link here or click on the play button below to listen: … [Read more...]
What Was Missing from Michael Bennet’s Post-Massachusetts Statement
From today's Denver Post:Voters who elected Republican Scott Brown to the U.S. Senate seat held by Democrat Edward Kennedy for 47 years sent a clear message that they expect Washington to listen to their concerns, Democratic Sen. Michael Bennet said. "Last night, the voters of Massachusetts didn't just elect a senator; they sent a message to Washington that I have heard all across Colorado — they want their leaders to listen to them and not the special interests," Bennet said. "They want us to focus on jobs, on lowering the cost of health care, and holding Wall Street accountable. They expect results, and it's up to me and the rest of Washington to deliver." Senator Bennet should have added, "And after a year of being in the Senate, … [Read more...]
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