This week, several of us bloggers (Dan Schwartz, Donna Ballman, Eric Meyer, Jon Hyman, and I) will be choosing a debate question on a labor and employment law topic for each of the Presidential and Vice Presidential candidates.
DISCLAIMER: I have tried to ask an "adversarial" question of every candidate. Please don't be offended, and please be aware that my questions may or may not reflect my actual political views.
Last, but far from least: Congressman! Paul! Ryan!
Congressman Ryan, you are from Wisconsin, where Governor Scott Walker has been trying to drastically cut back on the power of public-sector unions. (Although Gov. Walker recently expressed support for locked-out union NFL referees after a bad call by a replacement ref that resulted in a loss for the Green Bay Packers -- lol!) Just across the state line, Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel stared down the striking Chicago public school teachers (well, ok, he blinked a little), and you have expressed support for him. The 2012 Republican Party Platform, unlike the 2008 platform, does not expressly affirm the right of public- or private-sector workers to join unions and bargain collectively. The platform also enforses a National Right-to-Work Law, and a Secret Ballot Protection Act that would prohibit employers from recognizing unions in the absence of a secret-ballot election, among other measures.
Here is my question: Granted that a right to organize is implicit in right-to-work and secret ballot laws, and granted that the current National Labor Relations Board and public-sector unions have gone overboard during the current administration, do you believe generally in the right of private-sector workers to organize and collectively bargain? If not, do think that any alternatives are needed to ensure that private-sector workers are protected from exploitation and abuse? If so, what would those alternatives be?
MONDAY: Mr. President, why do we need the Paycheck Fairness Act?
Tomorrow: The best from my fellow bloggers!
Of Counsel & Chief Legal EditorRobin also conducts internal investigations and delivers training for HR professionals, managers, and employees on topics such as harassment prevention, disability accommodation, and leave management.
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This is Constangy’s flagship law blog, founded in 2010 by Robin Shea, who is chief legal editor and a regular contributor. This nationally recognized blog also features posts from other Constangy attorneys in the areas of immigration, labor relations, and sports law, keeping HR professionals and employers informed about the latest legal trends.
