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April 25, 2007
What's Next For The Union Card-Check Legislation?
I had the opportunity Tuesday morning to meet with a Republican Senate staffer down in D.C. to discuss the future of the Employee Free Choice Act. The Senate H.E.L.P. Committee, chaired by E.F.C.A. sponsor Sen. Edward Kennedy (D-MA), is currently deciding what to do with the Senate version of the bill (S.1041).
The staffer indicated that the Republican caucus was firmly in opposition to the bill, if not unanimously. The minority leadership appears solidly committed to its defeat. These observations were consistent with comments made earlier in the day by GOP leader Sen. Mitch McConnell (R-KY). Speaking at a fundraiser, Sen. McConnell expressed an unwillingness to rely on a threatened Presidential veto. With some Democratic Senators unwilling, to date, to join in co-sponsoring the partisan legislation, it seems unlikely that the Dems will be able to marshall the votes necessary to invoke cloture to defeat a Republican filibuster.
Thus it seems that Sen. McConnell's comment weeks ago (albeit on another issue) may prove relevant here:
"I don't wanna take any shots at Sen Reid. He's got 51 in a body that takes 60 to do anything."
Indeed, the staffer with whom I spoke indicated that Republican Senators may not even propose amendments to curb a select few of the Act's more offensive provisions, as the opposition attempted in the House. Rather, the Senators think the votes are lined up to kill the entire bill, period.
That is, for now.
Everyone in Washington who is opposed to the EFCA appears very concerned about the bill's prospects in the 111th Congress with a new occupant in the White House. The Senate staffer and the various lobbyists I met all stressed the importance of continued education and discussion about the EFCA and its dangers, and continued vocal opposition by interested employers heading into the 2008 election cycle. "[This] issue will continue to be a problem and must not be taken lightly," Sen. McConnell proclaimed. "[I]t has the ability to resurface after the 2008 elections should it be defeated."
Posted by Seth Borden at 01:09 PM | Comments (0)
April 18, 2007
U.S. Senate Considering Union Card-Check Bill: Big Payback to Big Labor
I had the privilege recently of addressing the New York City Young Republicans, at their April Speakers' Forum, on a troubling piece of pending legislation, the deceptively named "Employee Free Choice Act." As readers of my blog, "The Union-Free Employer" are by now well aware, on Thursday, March 29, 2007, Senator Ted Kennedy (D-MA) introduced the Senate version of the bill (S. 1041). The E.F.C.A. -- sometimes called the "card-check bill" -- aims to overhaul our nation's labor laws to promote union organizing and union representation at private businesses. The bill is political payback by the new Congressional majority to the AFL-CIO and labor unions who are seeking to stem decades-long decline -- from 35 percent of the private sector in the 1960's to just over 7 percent today. On March 1, 2007, the House of Representatives passed this Act by a vote of 241 to 185. (Reps. Randy Kuhl and Thomas Reynolds are the only New York Republicans who did not cross the aisle to side with the Democrats.)
The Senate now unfortunately takes up the effort to protect special interests and labor unions at the expense of the rights of Amercian employers and employees alike.
In a nutshell, the E.F.C.A. will:
- eliminate the current guarantee of a free and democratic, government-supervised secret-ballot election for employees to decide whether or not to be represented by a union;- require an employer to recognize a union as the exclusive representative of all the employees as soon as the union presents cards signed by a majority -- whether or not the employees understood what they were signing;
- do away with the pre-election campaign period, and curtail employer "free speech" rights, preventing employees from obtaining balanced information and viewpoints about union representation before the employees are forced to choose;
- inject the government into the collective-bargaining process, allowing arbitrators to impose a two-year contract on employers if private negotiations do not produce one within 120 days; and
- greatly increase financial penalties against employers only for interfering in the organizing process (e.g., triple back-pay awards for employees, civil penalties of $20,000 per violation, etc.)
While Republican lawmakers are contemplating a filibuster, and President George W. Bush has indicated that he will likely veto the Act, American employers and citizens concerned about our economy must take this issue very seriously all the same. This law is intended to bring about the largest wave of union organizing that private industry has seen in decades. We recommend prompt action as follows:
(1) Get fully educated about the E.F.C.A.: Obviously, The Union-Free Employer has provided many resources, including this Employer Advisory Report. There is also a great deal of helpful information at Kilpatrick Stockton's efcaupdates.com and the National Association of Manufacturers' ShopFloor.org.(2) Urge your Senators to oppose the E.F.C.A.: Contact your Senators and all Senators on the Senate Health Education Labor & Pensions Committee and urge them to oppose this bill.
(3) Write the White House: President Bush has already stated that he will veto H.R. 800 if it is presented to him. Express your support for that stand.
(4) Employers should adopt a comprehensive labor relations plan: Do not rest on the assumption that the E.F.C.A. will be vetoed and so you have nothing to worry about. The AFL-CIO and Change-To-Win unions are certain to conduct more organizing later this year in an effort to keep E.F.C.A. in the public eye heading into the 2008 campaign cycle. Prudent employers will prepare now to guarantee successful response to that activity. Consider conducting union-free maintenance audits; providing labor relations training for all management; communicating lawfully with employees about the possible consequences of union representation; and, ensuring the fairness and competitiveness of your wage, benefit and general personnel policies.
Put simply, private employers and concerned citizens must work now for the best possible outcome, while at the same time preparing for the worst.
Please feel free to check back here often, as we will continue to cover this critically important issue as it unfolds.
Posted by Seth Borden at 12:43 PM | Comments (1)
April 15, 2007
NYYRC 2007 Election Results - Welcome the new Leaders
On Thursday, April 12, during its monthly Speakers Forum, the New York Young Republican Club announced the results of its 2007 Election.
With 49.2% of the current membership approving the nominated election ballot, and no objections from members in attendance, the results were read:
Chairman - Paul Rodriguez
President - Daniel Peterson
Vice-Presidents - Owen Heslin, Aziza Fishman, Patricia Klein
Treasurer - Mark Kronenberg
Secretary - Raquel Okyay
President Daniel Peterson addressed those in attendance about the importance of getting involved in club committees and volunteering time at club events.
The officers you have just elected are of club members who have committed time and effort to continue our success. We're young professionals who want to see our party succeed. However, we are all volunteers. Like all of you here, we work, we have families and friends, and our time to give to this organization can sometimes be limited. That is why we continue to ask each of you to get more involved with this club, particularly in one of our committees. A committee is a group within the organization. The more members a committee has, the more activity can be done within the club and responsibilities can be shared. Shared responsibilities puts less pressure on one or two of us.We have many committees and we are still looking for committee chairs and vice-chairs, so we can continue our mission of promoting our republican principles. If you think you can offer some of your time, even if it's minimal, come speak with me, Ron, Robert or Paul, because every little bit of effort from anyone one of you, puts this organization, the New York Young Republican Club, in the front of all republican activity in New York City.
President Peterson is putting together a plan to increase membership by three-fold over the course of the coming months and prepare for the 2008 election campaigns on the Federal and State levels. He's also working with the Board of Governors on putting together a trip to our nation's capital this summer.
Posted by NYYRC at 11:53 AM | Comments (0)
April 14, 2007
Immigration Debate Forum @ Pace Law School
The Pace Law School Republicans and PLS Democrats will be having a formal debate on immigration.
Monday, April 30th 4 PM to 6 PM
The featured speaker for the Pace Law School Republicans is Mr. Patrick M. Megaro, Esq., who is Pro Bono Counsel for the Minuteman Civil Defense Corp. A graduate of Hofstra Law School, class of 2002, Mr. Megaro currently is practicing criminal defense law as a solo practitioner. Prior to entering the private sector, Mr. Megaro was an attorney for the Legal Aid Society in the Manhattan Criminal Defense Division for two years. In addition to his business criminal defense practice, Mr. Megaro is Pro Bono Counsel to the Minuteman Civil Defense Corps. The Minuteman Civil Defense Corps is opposed to illegal immigration and supports lawfully controlling the population of illegal immigrants in the United States. As Pro Bono Counsel to the Minuteman Civil Defense Corps, Mr. Megaro has gained incredible knowledge on immigration law and will be a competent and professional speaker at our debate.
The featured speaker for the Pace Law School Democrats will be announced shortly.
The event is co-sponsored by the New York Young Republican Club with the Intercollegiate Studies Institute.
***PLEASE RSVP to CariR@nycyr.org if you plan to attend. YOU MUST RSVP & BRING I.D.!
Directions
From metro north, take the Harlem Line to White Plains (on an express stop- 30 min. from Grand Central and 20 min. from Harlem 125th). There is a Pace bus that is free -- it comes to the train station at 15, 35, and 55 after each hour. Or, you can take a $5 taxicab ride. When you get to campus, the event is in the Tudor Room, which is the main reception area between Preston and the Classroom Building. Students or faculty can direct you. The bus leaves the school at 5, 25, and 45 after the hour to take you back to the train station.
Posted by NYYRC at 10:58 AM | Comments (0)
May 10th Speakers Forum
The next New York Young Republican Club, Inc meeting will be held on Thursday, May 10 2007.
Scheduled Speakers
Star Parker is the founder and president of CURE, the Coalition on Urban Renewal & Education, a 501c3 non-profit think tank that provides a national voice of reason on issues of race and poverty in the media, inner city neighborhoods, and public policy.
Prior to her involvement in social activism, Star Parker was a single welfare mother in Los Angeles, California. After receiving Christ, Star returned to college, received a BS degree in marketing and launched an urban Christian magazine. The 1992 Los Angeles riots destroyed her business, yet served as a springboard for her focus on faith and market-based alternatives to empower the lives of the poor.
Dawn Eden, Daily News columnist, pop music historian, blogger and author, addresses the New York Young Republican Club on her new book, The Thrill of the Chaste: Finding Fulfillment While Keeping Your Clothes On.
Author Dawn Eden, a Jewish-born rock journalist turned salty Christian blog queen, gives these readers the positive and uplifting message that they've been wanting to hear-that spiritual healing and a renewed outlook await them. Using her own experiences in the New York City singles jungle, she shows women how they too can go from insecurity to purity, and from forlorn to reborn. She tells women who have been around the block how to find their way home.
Hon. Dan Donovan, District Attorney for Richmond County, has been touring the five boroughs, visiting clubs and raising money for his re-election this year. Yes, there is a campaign this November and the incumbent is the Republican!. Donovan became the first republican to win the Richmond County District Attorney post in over three decades! The New York Young Republican Club recently honored him at our annual Ronald Reagan Birthday Dinner & Awards Celebration for his many accomplishments in public service.
Admission:
Members - FREE
Non Members - $5, F/T Students - $2.
Please R S V P to this event.
Meeting Location
Soldiers', Sailors', Marines' & Airmen's Club283 Lexington Ave (bet 36th & 37th St), 2nd Floor
7:15 PM to 9:30 PM
Please try to be on time.
We will be starting our program early.
After-politics Socializing
Come join us afterwards for drinks at:
Margarita Murphy's
591 Third Avenue
Between 38th and 39th streets
Posted by Daniel Peterson at 10:02 AM | Comments (0)
April 06, 2007
"Suicide Killers" Thursday April 19
Suicide Killers
A documentary by Pierre Rehov
Come see this amazing documentary film that provides an in-depth look at the psychology of suicide bombers through interviews with failed and would-be bombers. It was called "A chilling portrait" by the L.A. Times and "A fascinating look into the minds of suicide bombers" by CNN.
When: Thursday, April 19th, 7:30 - 9:30pm
Where: The Millennium Theater, 66th E. 4th St. NYC 10003 (between Bowery and Second Ave.)
(212) 673-0090
FREE for NYYRC members
$5 for non-members
Please R S V P to this event.
More info at the Suicide Killers website.
Co-Sponsored by our friends at the Young Jewish Leadership Political Action Committee
After movie discussion over drinks at:
Second on Second
23 2nd Avenue (bet. 1st & 2nd St)
Posted by Daniel Peterson at 09:14 AM | Comments (0)