Posts Tagged ‘Seattle Times’

Controversial Washington Labor Bill Killed After Discovery of Dirty Politics

On March 12, 2009 Author By Scott Wolfe Jr        

Last week we blogged about a controversial “one-sided” labor bill in the Washington legislature that would prohibit companies from requiring employees to participate in meetings related to political or religious matters, including labor issues.

The bill was coming before the legislature for vote today, but was instead scrapped because – as Gov. Chris Gregoire stated – an email from a state labor group raised “serious legal and ethical questions.”

While the email has not been released, the Seattle Times reports that “knowledgeable sources who have read the e-mail confirmed that it came from the Washington State Labor Council,” and that it linked “campaign donations” to the legislation.

The controversial bill is part of a recent flurry of labor law changes and conversation, and the bill’s high profile death will certainly be celebrated by business interests.

Posted in:     Labor Law, Washington  /  Tags: , ,   /   1 Comment

One-Sided Labor Bill in Washington Legislature?

On March 5, 2009 Author By Scott Wolfe Jr        

An editorial in the Seattle Times this week suggests that two bills before the Washington legislature related to state labor laws would “run afoul of free speech rights and tread into a venue that belongs to Congress.”

The two bills are being considered at a fairly turbulent time for labor legislation at the federal level.  With the inauguration of the Obama Administration, many have suggested that the county may experience a historic shift in employment and labor law matters.

So what is so controversial about the “one-sided labor bill” in Washington?

Essentially, the bill would provide employees the right to not attend an employer-called meeting if they have a “reasonable belief” that it is about religious or political matters.

While altruistic on its face, the Seattle Times editorial notes that meetings about union-related issues (pensions, medial plan, union representation, etc.) would be considered a political matter.   The editorial comments:

The bill’s real purpose is to undermine meetings employers call when they are in a fight with a union…

The bill is entirely one-sided:  It restricts employers but not unions.  It tilts the balance in a way that has not been done in any other state.  And already Washington is one of the most union-friendly states.

We’ll see how far the bill gets in the legislature – but with the toiling economy, the shift in federal politics on labor law issues, and other union-friendly factors, it’s likely not safe to assume its defeat.

Posted in:     Labor Law, Washington  /  Tags: , ,   /   1 Comment
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