Legislation Redefines "Supervisor" at Union Benefit
Click here to read the official letter
September 24, 2007
Dear Member:
On behalf of the Alliance for Worker Freedom (AWF), and millions of working citizens across America, I am urging you to oppose H.R. 1644, the so-called, “Re-Empowerment of Skilled and Professional Employees and Construction Tradesworkers (RESPECT) Act”. This act is nothing more than an attempt by Big Labor to increase the number of dues paying members by redefining a term and overturning a National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) ruling.
H.R. 1644, as approved by the House Education and Labor Committee, redefines the definition of “supervisor” for union and collective bargaining purposes. The egregious legislation will overturn a 2006 NLRB ruling that stated individuals who occasionally direct other employees, plan schedules, and perform other supervisory activities are classified as “supervisors” and not covered as workers under a union contract.
The blatantly obvious, union-favored H.R. 1644 changes the definition to explicitly eliminate the words “assign” and “responsibility to direct” from the list of what constitutes supervisory duties; thereby allowing more workers to be covered under the ever-expanding grasp of union-bosses. Make no mistake--if you support and vote for this bill, you will be labeled as a Congressman who aligns himself with Big Labor – your constituents will take notice and we will rate this vote.
Furthermore, it is not Congressional responsibility to define what constitutes a supervisor. There has been no rush by employers to reclassify workers as “supervisors” to take them out of the union bargaining group. This matter should be handled on an individual case basis and left up to the NLRB – that is why Congress created it. Congress must not continue its attempt to control and define labor markets by implementing further regulation and control.
If the words “assign” and “responsibility to direct” are removed from the list of supervisory duties, then what does a supervisor actually do if not assign and direct people and issues? As a law-making body, it is not Congressional responsibility to define how businesses operate by mandating supervisory classifications and interfering in the workplace. Further control and regulation is not what American workers want and it is not in the best interest of our economy.
What Big Labor needs is more transparency and accountability to its members. This legislation, backed by union-bosses, fattens the union’s pockets by trapping more people in the net of organized labor. With the Alliance for Worker Freedom’s inaugural release of the “2007 Index of Worker Freedom – A National Report Card” approaching, you should be aware that your state will be graded on where it ranks with regard to worker freedom. On the heels of passing an OLMS budget cut, do you really want to be labeled as a Congressman who sides against the worker and aligns with union-thugs and Big Labor?
Once again, on behalf of American workers, I urge you to vote against H.R. 1644, the so-called, “Re-Empowerment of Skilled and Professional Employees and Construction Tradesworkers (RESPECT) Act”. This bill is grossly negligent in legislating a matter that is best decided and left up to the NLRB and interferes with worker freedom on all levels. In interest of the American worker, we will rate this vote.
Sincerely,
Brian M Johnson,
Director of Policy
