(The following appeared on the Washington Times website on March 31, 2011.)
WASHINGTON, D.C. — A move by some House Republicans to alter the way rail and airline workers organize could threaten a comprehensive aviation safety bill, continuing the GOP’s push back at collective bargaining rights.
The provision, included in a larger Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) bill that the House is expected to vote on Friday, is a major sticking point to long-awaited legislation designed to update the nation’s aging air traffic control system.
The GOP-crafted measure says that rail and aviation workers who don’t vote in an election to determine whether they want to join a union must be counted as a “no” vote — reversing a 2010 National Mediation Board (NMB) ruling that union election be based on a majority of the ballots cast.
The provision has incensed Democrats, organized labor and even some Republicans, who say it’s a blatant attempt to breakup rail and airline unions.
The White House says it may veto the bill if it includes the anti-union provision.
An amendment sponsored by Republican Rep. Steven C. LaTourette of Ohio and Democratic Rep. Jerry F. Costello of Illinois would strip the anti-union language from the bill. A vote on the amendment is expected Friday.
The full story is on the Washington Times website.